Luka Doncic Parents: Who Are His Mother Mirjam Poterbin and Father Sasa Doncic?
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic is back in the spotlight as the 2026-27 NBA season gets underway. The 27-year-old Slovenian guard, who joined the Lakers in a blockbuster trade from the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025, is entering another important chapter of his basketball career. His personal life also attracted attention earlier in 2026 following his separation from longtime partner Anamaria Goltes. Amid these developments, fans are curious about Luka Doncic’s parents, Mirjam Poterbin and Sasa Doncic, who helped shape his journey from Slovenia to NBA stardom.
Doncic was born into a family already familiar with professional sports. His father played basketball professionally, while his mother worked as a model, television presenter and businesswoman. Although his parents divorced during his childhood, both remained involved in his development and supported his ambitions.
Who Are Luka Doncic’s Parents?
Luka Doncic was born on February 28, 1999, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, to Mirjam Poterbin and Sasa Doncic.
His father, Sasa, is a former professional basketball player and coach, while his mother, Mirjam, previously worked in modeling, television and the beauty industry.
Luka was their only child together. His parents separated in 2008, when he was approximately nine years old, and his mother became his primary caregiver.
Despite their separation, both parents continued supporting his interest in basketball.
Luka developed an unusually strong connection with the sport from early childhood. His mother later recalled that he preferred receiving basketballs and sneakers as birthday gifts.
His father’s professional experience also meant that Luka grew up around basketball long before he became an international star.
Who Is Luka Doncic’s Mother Mirjam Poterbin?
Mirjam Poterbin is a Slovenian businesswoman and former model who became widely recognized through her son’s successful basketball career.
Before becoming involved in Luka’s professional affairs, she worked as a dancer and model in Slovenia.
She also competed in the Miss Slovenia competition in 1993 and later appeared as a presenter on the Slovenian version of Wheel of Fortune.
Mirjam eventually opened a beauty salon, which allowed her to organize her working hours around raising Luka.
During a 2020 television interview, she explained that owning the salon gave her flexibility to spend time with her son when he was not attending school.
Her relationship with Luka became particularly important after her divorce from Sasa.
She supported his early basketball training and helped him adjust to the responsibilities associated with becoming a professional athlete at a young age.
Mirjam later became involved in managing his business interests as his international career developed.
Who Is Luka Doncic’s Father Sasa Doncic?
Sasa Doncic is a former Slovenian professional basketball player and coach who spent much of his career competing in European leagues.
Born on June 14, 1974, Sasa played professionally from 1993 until 2010.
He represented several clubs in Slovenia and also spent time playing in Serbia and France.
His experience gave Luka early exposure to the routines and expectations of professional basketball.
After retiring as a player, Sasa moved into coaching and continued working within Slovenian basketball.
In January 2024, he was appointed sports director of the Slovenian Basketball Federation.
The position allowed him to remain involved in the development of basketball in his home country.
Sasa has frequently expressed pride in his son’s achievements and has attended NBA games to support him.
Although Luka spent much of his childhood living with his mother, he maintained a relationship with his father.
Why Did Luka Doncic’s Parents Divorce?
Mirjam Poterbin and Sasa Doncic divorced in 2008 after several years together.
Their separation occurred when Luka was still a young child and beginning to demonstrate considerable basketball potential.
Following the divorce, Mirjam took primary responsibility for raising him.
However, the family has not publicly provided a detailed explanation of why the marriage ended.
Both parents continued to support Luka’s development despite no longer being together.
Sasa remained involved in basketball, while Mirjam focused on helping her son manage his education, training and growing professional opportunities.
There is no reliable evidence suggesting that their divorce prevented Luka from maintaining relationships with both parents.
Their separate contributions became especially important when he received an opportunity to move abroad.
How Luka Doncic’s Mother Supported His Move to Real Madrid
One of the most important moments in Doncic’s childhood came when he joined Real Madrid’s basketball program at just 13 years old.
The move required him to leave Slovenia and begin living in Spain while still attending school.
Mirjam initially had concerns about allowing her young son to move so far away.
However, Luka was determined to pursue the opportunity.
During a 2022 interview, she recalled that he looked directly at her and explained that he wanted to try.
She eventually agreed, recognizing how important basketball had become to him.
Mirjam later spent time in Spain to remain close to Luka during his development.
His decision proved successful as he progressed through Real Madrid’s youth system and eventually became one of Europe’s most promising young players.
In 2018, he helped Real Madrid win the EuroLeague championship and received the EuroLeague MVP award.
That same year, he entered the NBA Draft.
What Happened Between Luka Doncic and His Mother?
Luka Doncic and Mirjam Poterbin became involved in a trademark disagreement in 2022.
The dispute concerned the registration of the name and logo “LUKA DONCIC 7,” which Mirjam had registered during the early years of his NBA career.
Luka sought to cancel the trademark registration as he worked to establish greater control over his commercial identity.
The disagreement attracted considerable media attention because Mirjam had previously helped manage his business affairs.
However, the matter was resolved without a prolonged public legal battle.
In December 2022, Doncic withdrew his petition to cancel the trademark registration.
The dispute did not establish that the two had permanently ended their personal relationship.
Mirjam has continued to be publicly associated with her son’s basketball career.
Does Luka Doncic Have Any Siblings?
Luka Doncic has a younger half-sister named Tijana, also referred to as Tiana in some English-language publications.
She is the daughter of his father, Sasa Doncic, and Sasa’s longtime partner, Nikolina Dragicevic.
Although Luka is the only child from his parents’ marriage, he shares a family connection with his younger sister through their father.
Sasa has occasionally discussed Tijana’s interest in sports and other activities.
In a 2024 interview, he explained that she enjoyed gymnastics, music and playing with a ball.
Tijana has also accompanied her father to the United States to watch Luka compete in NBA games.
Despite the considerable age difference between the siblings, their family connection has occasionally appeared in public photographs and interviews.
Luka Doncic’s Parents Are Also Grandparents
Mirjam Poterbin and Sasa Doncic became grandparents when Luka welcomed his first daughter, Gabriela, with Anamaria Goltes in late 2023.
The couple welcomed their second daughter, Olivia, in December 2025.
Luka and Anamaria had been together for several years before becoming engaged in July 2023.
However, their relationship ended in March 2026 amid disagreements concerning arrangements for their children.
The separation brought additional public attention to Luka’s family life.
His parents have generally avoided extensive public discussion of these personal developments.
Sasa previously spoke warmly about becoming a grandfather, describing the happiness he experienced while spending time with Gabriela.
Where Are Luka Doncic’s Parents Now?
Mirjam Poterbin has remained connected to her son’s professional basketball journey.
She previously relocated to the United States after Luka joined the Dallas Mavericks in 2018, allowing her to remain closer to him.
She has also attended games and shared photographs celebrating his achievements.
Sasa Doncic has continued working in basketball, including his appointment with the Slovenian Basketball Federation in 2024.
He has regularly expressed support for Luka and occasionally travels to watch him compete.
Although Mirjam and Sasa followed different paths after their divorce, both played important roles in helping Luka develop into one of the NBA’s most recognizable players.
From his childhood in Ljubljana to his success with Real Madrid, Dallas and Los Angeles, Doncic’s basketball journey has been shaped by family support and early exposure to professional sports.
His mother’s dedication and his father’s basketball experience remain central parts of the story behind his rise to international stardom.
