By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Refusing to slow down in the fourth quarter, despite a comfortable lead for Slovenia over Belgium, Luka Doncic was eager to post a triple-double and succeeded.
With just under four minutes on the clock, his tenth assist shaped the fifth triple-double in EuroBasket history.
The previous triple-double belongs to Mateusz Ponitka, getting the job done for Poland in EuroBasket 2022. Earlier similar showings were registered by Rares Mandache in 2017, Toni Kukoc in 1995, and Stojko Vrankovic in 1993.
List of previous triple-doubles in EuroBasket
| Player | Year | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Mateusz Ponitka (Poland) | 2022 | 26 | 16 | 10 |
| Rares Mandache (Romania) | 2017 | 14 | 11 | 10 |
| Toni Kukoc (Croatia) | 1995 | 15 | 12 | 11 |
| Stojko Vrankovic (Croatia) | 1993 | 12 | 13 | 10* |
* He recorded ten blocks
The latter is not part of official recorded history, explaining why FIBA officially notes four triple-doubles. Specifically, in EuroBasket 1993, only the points are digitized limiting Vrankovic to a peculiar spot on the all-time list.
“That’s what Luka does”
Nevertheless, the Ljubljana native, a Los Angeles Lakers star in the NBA, emerged as the fifth player to post a EuroBasket triple-double, lifting Slovenia over Belgium. Lasting 30 minutes, he finished with 26 points, 11 assists, and ten rebounds.
“That’s what Luka does,” mentioned the selector of the senior national team of Slovenia, Aleksander Sekulic, in the postgame press conference, “The thing is that I saw he made a triple-double, but what impresses me is the way he approached this game, knowing that we are a better team with better individuals. Even though he never underestimated anyone and he was locked in from the first to last minute. That only just shows the greatness, not only the stats but his mindset.”
The losing head coach, Dario Gjergja, explained why he would like Doncic to score more points and struggle to link with his international teammates in his third appearance in Katowice’s Spodek Arena.
“For me, I prefer he scored 50, to be honest,” said the 50-year-old tactician, “I prefer 50, but the others don’t execute. Because, he is capable, nevermind about quality around him. This is why he is a superstar. If he has players who decent from the range, he will make them much better.”
Up to 1-2 in pool play, Slovenia and Doncic are up against Iceland on Tuesday and Israel on Thursday to complete a five-game round-robin schedule, looking to clinch a berth in the knockout stage of the tournament.
Photo Credit: FIBA