Real Madrid star and 19-year-old European sensation Luka Doncic has reportedly filed paperwork to enter the 2018 NBA Draft in a move that can’t be seen as too much of a surprise.
Potential top pick Luka Doncic of Real Madrid has submitted paperwork to enter the 2018 NBA Draft, sources told Yahoo. Doncic, 19, is currently playing in the EuroLeague postseason.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 21, 2018
Doncic is viewed as potentially the top overall pick in the coming draft, even ahead of DeAndre Ayton and Marvin Bagley. The Slovenian has played with Real Madrid since 2015 and is viewed as legit two-way prospect. He was named the Spanish League’s best young player in 2017 and earned EuroLeague Rising Star honors the same year.
Signed by Real Madrid to a five-year contract at the age of 13 back in 2012, the 6-foot-8 Doncic averaged 16.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists last season. He’s viewed as shooting guard, small forward combo.
The timing of this report is interesting in that it coincides with Utah Jazz assistant Igor Kokoskov drawing interest from the Phoenix Suns to be their net head coach. Kokoskov coached Doncic with the Slovenian national team. Phoenix boasts the best odds to earn this year’s No. 1 overall pick.