The NBA landscape shifted dramatically as the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a blockbuster trade, landing Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks.
The move sent shockwaves through the league, pairing Dončić with LeBron James in what could become one of the most electrifying duos in recent history.
Amid the excitement of his arrival in Los Angeles, fans have taken notice of Dončić’s signature No. 77 jersey. While many assume it’s just a random choice, the number actually carries deep personal meaning for the Slovenian superstar—paying tribute to the European basketball legend who inspired his game.
The interesting reason Luka Chose No. 77
When playing for Real Madrid, Luka wore the No. 7 Jersey as a tribute to his idol, Vassilis Spanoulis.
As Doncic has mentioned in various interviews, “He was my idol since I was a kid… That’s why I wear number 7.” Spanoulis’ influence on Doncic’s career was immense.
However, when Doncic joined the Dallas Mavericks in 2018, the No. 7 jersey was already taken by his teammate Dwight Powell. To solve this, Doncic opted for No. 77, doubling his cherished single digit.
Over the years, the Mavs No. 77 jersey has become one of the most popular in the NBA, and it’s only a matter of time before it gains global recognition akin to the famed yellow Lakers jersey.
