In a revealing interview with the Wall Street Journal, NBA superstar Luka Doncic offered an interesting perspective on the fundamental differences between youth basketball development in Europe and the United States.
The Slovenian-born guard, who began his professional career at just 13 years old, emphasized how divergent philosophies in training shape the future of young athletes and may explain why European players are increasingly dominating the NBA.
Doncic didn’t mince words when describing the American approach to youth basketball:
“They just play and play and don’t practice, they just play games. In Europe, we have a lot of practice and maybe play once a week.”
His observation points to a culture in the U.S. that prioritizes competition over development. With AAU tournaments, travel leagues, and showcase events, American kids often play multiple games per weekend, sometimes with minimal structured practice in between.
In contrast, European youth basketball emphasizes skill development, fundamentals, and tactical understanding. Practices are frequent and rigorous, often involving extended warm-ups and conditioning, small-sided games like 4-on-3 or 2-on-1 to teach spacing and decision-making, as well as emphasis on passing, footwork, and team play.
Doncic noted that in Europe, players might only compete in one or two games per week, allowing coaches to focus on long-term growth rather than short-term results.
Doncic’s teammate and fellow NBA icon LeBron James echoed similar concerns on the Mind the Game podcast:
“A lot of kids are not developing their skill, a lot of kids are not developing their fundamentals… It stops you from reading the game.”
James criticized the American system for encouraging isolation play and flashy moves over basketball IQ and teamwork. He emphasized that while some players can succeed in this environment, many struggle to adapt as competition intensifies.
The results of these contrasting systems are increasingly visible in the NBA. European players like Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Doncic himself have become MVPs and franchise cornerstones, not just for their athleticism, but for their elite fundamentals and court vision.
This shift has prompted some American coaches and trainers to reevaluate their methods, seeking a balance between competitive exposure and developmental rigor.
Doncic’s comments aren’t just a critique, they’re a call to action. As basketball continues to globalize, the U.S. may need to rethink its youth development model to stay competitive. Prioritizing practice, fundamentals, and long-term growth could be the key to nurturing the next generation of elite talent.
