Luka Doncic, the Slovenian NBA star, has undergone a notable physical transformation that has drawn significant attention.
Throughout his tenure with Dallas, Doncic faced criticism regarding his conditioning. Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison acknowledged that concerns about Doncic‘s fitness contributed to the decision to trade him.
Doncic‘s enhanced physique was highlighted in a recent Men’s Health magazine cover feature, where he appeared noticeably fitter and more athletic.
In the accompanying interview, Doncic claimed his vertical leap now surpasses the 42-inch jump attributed to him during the 2018 NBA Draft Combine.
However, these claims were soon questioned by NBA reporter Nick Angstadt. Posting on social media platform X, Angstadt pointed out that Doncic did not participate in the 2018 NBA Combine, making the reported 42-inch vertical inaccurate.
He noted that the figure cited in the article likely resulted from an AI-generated error that confused Doncic with Donte DiVincenzo, who recorded a 42-inch vertical leap.
Doncic’s new physique sparks praise
Following these revelations, Men’s Health amended the article, removing the inaccurate vertical leap reference and revising the context of Doncic‘s comments regarding his improved vertical jump.
Despite the controversy over the statistics, Doncic‘s physical transformation has been widely noted throughout the league.
Analysts have praised his improved conditioning and anticipate that this may enhance his performance with the Lakers.
While the accuracy of the vertical leap data remains in question, the visible changes in Doncic‘s physique indicate a renewed commitment to fitness.
This development may address previous concerns about his durability and conditioning, factors that have impacted his career.
As the 2025-26 NBA season approaches, the focus will be on how Doncic‘s physical improvements translate on the court and whether his conditioning can sustain him through the rigors of a full NBA season.
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