Luka Doncic named top player under 25 to build around by executives

The Dallas Mavericks have won six straight games, including defeating the top team in each conference with superstar Luka Doncic leading their charge. The 22-year-old superstar is back after missing ten straight games with an ankle injury and stint in the health and safety protocols, and he looks ready to lead the team on a run back up the standings.

It has been a slow start to the season for Luka. He is averaging just 24.8 points and 8.2 rebounds, but his 9.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game would be new career-highs. Doncic’s efficiency is down, but the 6’7 guard is just starting to play his best basketball.

HoopsHype polled 17 executives asking who was the player under 25 they wanted to build around, and Luka Doncic was the runaway winner. Here is a look at the small surprise, and why Luka is the clear choice.

Luka Doncic named top player under 25 to build around by executives

Luka received 16 of the 17 first-place votes as the player under 25 executives wanted to build around. It was a bit surprising he was not a unanimous selection. The 22-year-old superstar is already a two-time All-Star and twice on the first-team All-NBA. No player under 25 can compete with those credentials. Yes, it has been a slow start by Doncic’s standards, but he is still producing elite numbers.

Luka further cemented his legacy by leading Slovenia to the Olympic semifinals. The nation of just over 2 million people was the smallest country in the basketball tournament, and Doncic had them seconds away from playing for the gold medal.

Jayson Tatum, Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball, and Trae Young rounded out the top five in the HoopsHype poll. Each of those players is special, but none of them can match the resume of Luka Doncic.

The Dallas Mavericks superstar plans to help his team move back up the Western Conference and lead them on a deep playoff. The best is still yet to come from Doncic, so keep it locked to The Smoking Cuban for all the latest on Luka and the Mavs this season.