Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic may only be 23 years old, but he has already made a name for himself as one of the best players in the NBA. One question that many fans may have is why Doncic chose to wear No. 77 throughout his career.

In a press conference in July 2021, Doncic opened up about the reason behind his choice of jersey number. He revealed that Greek professional basketball player Vassilis Spanoulis was the inspiration behind his decision.

"Spanoulis was my idol since I was little. I was watching him," Doncic said, via EuroHoops. "It was kind of sad seeing him retiring. That's why I wear No. 7. I mean, I couldn't wear No. 7, cause it was already taken, so I took 77. He was really, really big time for me."

Spanoulis, who retired from basketball a few days before Doncic's press conference, was a mentor and role model for Doncic as he was growing up. Spanoulis played for Olympiacos and was a EuroLeague legend, known for his impressive skills and leadership on the court.

"He was a really big time for my career," Doncic said of Spanoulis. "He taught me well. He was the veteran over there, and he won almost everything."

Doncic's admiration for Spanoulis is clear, and it's no surprise that he chose to honor his idol by wearing the No. 77 jersey. As Doncic continues to make a name for himself in the NBA, it's likely that fans will see him continue to pay tribute to Spanoulis with every game he plays.

So the next time you see Doncic on the court in his No. 77 jersey, remember the Greek basketball legend who inspired him and helped shape his career.