Luka Doncic, the Mavericks’ 19-year-old rookie sensation from Slovenia who was drafted No. 3 overall this past summer, waited in the hallway from the locker room entrance for several moments until a team official emerged with a signed jersey from LeBron James.
After the game, rookie Luca Doncic waited in the hallway to get LeBron James’ jersey from tonight’s game, which James signed. pic.twitter.com/N77e8xjWjO
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) November 1, 2018
Doncic beamed a wide smile with James’ game-worn jersey in hand as he headed back to the visitors locker room, following his 14-point, seven-assist, five-rebound performance.
Speaking of his first matchup with his idol James, Doncic said, “It’s very special. I was waiting for this game, and it was very special to me.”
Luka Dončić said he talked to LeBron James during the game about getting his jersey afterward. "I always wanted his jersey," Dončić said of a player he has long idolized. "It was something special to me." LeBron signed it, in part, with the message, "Strive For Greatness."
— Baxter Holmes (@Baxter) November 1, 2018
James finished with 29 points, six assists, five rebounds, three steals and hit the game-winning free throw with 2.1 seconds left.
James said he isn’t surprised that Doncic has been able to thrive in the NBA at such a young age.
“I think that’s the best thing about European basketball, pro basketball over there. They develop their players so early.”
This generation of players grew up buying jerseys, and wearing jerseys, so naturally, they still want to collect jerseys.
Kind of weird for grown men to be fawning over other grown men’s jerseys.
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