Luka Doncic is currently in Slovenia, but the Los Angeles Lakers star has remained separate from the national team’s preparations for the upcoming FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
Following Slovenia’s loss to Montenegro on Saturday, Alen Omic was asked if Luka Doncic had spoken with his teammates while hosting the Lakers in his home country. According to the veteran center, that has not happened yet.
“No, he did not speak. He has his obligations. We leave him alone, he leaves us alone. Let him sort out what he needs to do. I hope this all ends as soon as possible, so that he can come help the national team. But we need everyone; it is not just about him… Every player is welcome. But it is true that I, who am the oldest, expect even more from everyone”, Omic said, per Ekipa.
Košarka! pic.twitter.com/VMDYtLPQag
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 22, 2026
Why is Luka Doncic not playing for Slovenia
Luka Doncic will not play for Slovenia during the August qualification window after deciding earlier this summer to prioritize time with his family.
Back in June, he explained that his daughters were the main reason behind the decision to skip playing for the national team this summer.
Slovenia head coach Aleksander Sekulic left the 27-year-old off the preliminary roster, with the Slovenian federation listing personal reasons for his absence.
Slovenia reached the second round of qualifiers with a 3-3 record, tied with Estonia, Sweden, and Hungary. France leads the group at 5-1, while Finland holds second place at 4-2. The top three teams will secure a spot at the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar.
Slovenia plays France on August 27, followed by Hungary three days later.
Lakers minicamp in Slovenia
While the national team prepares for those games without him, Luka Doncic hosted nearly the entire Los Angeles Lakers roster for a private offseason minicamp in Slovenia.
The gathering was designed to combine basketball work and team bonding before the start of official preparations for the 2026/27 NBA season. Doncic organized several activities away from the court, while the basketball portion began with a two-hour workout under Lakers assistant coach Greg St. Jean.
Lakers to receive special visit
The Los Angeles Lakers will also receive a visit in November this year from Slovenia federation president Matej Erjavec and Slovenia national team sporting director Sasa Doncic, Luka’s father, according to Siol.
The visit will take place once the NBA regular season is already underway. Erjavec previously explained that Slovenia wants to establish the same kind of working relationship with the Lakers that the federation had developed with the Dallas Mavericks during Doncic’s years in Texas.
