Luka Dončić Named Starter for 2020 NBA All Star Game

Jan 8, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic (77) in action during the game between the Mavericks and the Nuggets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA announced today that Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić has been voted as a starter for the 69th NBA All-Star Game, which will take place at Chicago’s United Center on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. CT on TNT.

The 20-year-old Slovenian will become the youngest European-born player to start an All-Star Game.

Dončić is joined in the Western Conference starting lineup by LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis and James Harden.

Jan 10, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) argues a call in front of Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic (77) during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Dončić (6-7, 230) will be just the third Maverick to start an All-Star Game, joining Dirk Nowitzki (2007, 2010) and Jason Kidd (1996). Kidd is the only other Dallas player voted in as a starter (Nowitzki started as a replacement for an injured starter twice). Dončić is the 31st All-Star in franchise history.

At 20 years, 353 days on the day of the 2020 All-Star Game, Dončić will become the ninth-youngest athlete to appear in the game and the sixth-youngest to start. He will be the game’s youngest starter since LeBron James (20 years, 52 days) in 2005.

Jan 23, 2020; Portland, Oregon, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic (77) signs autographs before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Among league leaders, the reigning Kia NBA Rookie of the Year ranks fourth in scoring (29.1 ppg), third in assists (9.0 apg) and 16th in rebounding (9.7 rpg). His 29.1 points per game is the third-highest scoring average by a player in his second NBA season since the merger (Shaquille O’Neal, 29.3 ppg in 1993-94).

Jan 6, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic (77) warms up before the game against the Chicago Bulls at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

 Dončić leads the NBA in triple-doubles this season (12), all of which have been of the 20-point variety. He has also recorded a league-high 33 games with at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Jan 6, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Delon Wright (55) and forward Luka Doncic (77) celebrate during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Fans accounted for 50 percent of the vote to determine the 10 starters for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. All current NBA players and a media panel accounted for 25 percent each. Those voters completed one full ballot featuring two guards and three frontcourt players from each conference.