After years of criticism about his conditioning and durability, Luka Dončić has flipped the narrative. The 26-year-old Slovenian superstar, now the face of the Los Angeles Lakers, has undergone a dramatic physical and mental transformation that’s turning heads across the NBA.
And behind the scenes, a trio of specialists known as Team Luka has orchestrated every step of his evolution. Dončić’s personal performance team includes his nutritionist, Lucía Almendros, Anže Macek, his strength and conditioning coach, as well as his physiotherapist, Javier Barrio.
Together, they’ve built a regimen that’s part science lab, part boot camp, and part psychological reset.
“This year, with my team, I think we did a huge step. But this is just the start. Can’t stop,” Dončić told Men’s Health.
Almendros designed a gluten-free, low-sugar, low-carb diet centered around 250+ grams of protein per day, tailored to Dončić’s muscle recovery and metabolic needs. Key components include almond milk protein shakes with micronutrients, plant-based meals to reduce inflammation, intermittent fasting: no food from 8:30 p.m. to noon, six days a week, as well as hydration protocols with electrolytes and mineral balancing.
This approach not only helped Dončić shed excess weight but also improved his sleep, energy levels, and mental clarity.
“My sleeping, my body, my everything… I felt more rested,” he said.
Dončić’s workouts took place primarily in Croatia, where Macek implemented a two-a-day training schedule that includes 90-minute sessions focused on resistance, mobility, and shooting in the mornings, and strength training, hurdle drills, lateral bounds, and explosive movement in the afternoon.
One standout drill involved Dončić sprinting through hurdles, then shuffling with resistance bands to activate his glutes and core. The emphasis wasn’t just on speed or jumping, it was on eccentric force, balance, and deceleration.
“Not everything is jumping high,” Dončić explained. “I think I’m very athletic in other stuff; balancing, controlling my body, slowing down”.
Before training began, Dončić underwent a battery of tests in Madrid including blood work, force plate analysis, movement screening, and body composition scans
Barrio noted Dončić’s low center of gravity and exceptional leg strength, which make him nearly immovable in his stance. These insights shaped every aspect of his training plan.
Perhaps the most radical decision? Dončić didn’t touch a basketball for four weeks. Instead, he played pickleball and padel, sports that improved his lateral movement and reduced joint stress.
“At the beginning, it was hard,” Dončić admitted. “I can’t be without basketball. But when I was a little kid, I played a lot of sports”.
This break allowed his body to fully recover from a grueling season and gave his mind space to reset.
Dončić is expected to sign a four-year, $222 million extension with the Lakers on August 2, cementing his role as the franchise cornerstone. With LeBron James nearing retirement, Dončić’s transformation couldn’t have come at a better time.
His goal? Sustained dominance for the next decade.
“If I stop now, it was all for nothing,” he said.
Team Luka acknowledges that the strict regimen will be modified during the NBA season due to travel and game schedules. Fasting windows will shrink, and meal timing will adjust, but the core principles will remain.
“The nutritional plan doesn’t go out the window,” Barrio said. “It just becomes somewhat less strict”.
From the science of his diet to the psychology of his training, every detail has been meticulously crafted. And if the results translate to the court, the NBA may be witnessing the rise of Luka 2.0. Leaner, sharper, and more unstoppable than ever.
