By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The Slovenian national team is gearing up for its first game at EuroBasket 2025. Aleksandar Sekulić’s team will face Poland in the opener, and all eyes will be on Luka Dončić in Katowice.
The LA Lakers star was present at the official pre-event press conference and shared his excitement for the tournament and for representing his country once again.
“Very excited to be here, always a pleasure to represent my country. It’s an easy choice, and I always did, no matter what. Obviously, if I’m injured, I’m not gonna play, but if I’m healthy, I will always play. We are prepared, together in this, can’t wait to start,” Luka Dončić said.
Dončić already won EuroBasket 2017 playing alongside Goran Dragić, and later led Slovenia to 6th place in 2022. What has changed since his last appearance at the European championship?
“I don’t know, trying to improve every day. I’m getting older, three more years have passed, but not much has changed for me.”
LA Lakers officials also came to Poland to show Luka their support, including GM Rob Pelinka and controlling owner and president Jeanie Buss.
“Means a lot, it’s a long flight, like 11–12 hours, means a lot for them to be here to support me. We had a great lunch today, it was great to see them,” Dončić concluded.
Rob Pelinka: “It’s great to be associated with the Slovenian national team”
Pelinka also talked to the Slovenian press, as local outlet Ekipa reports.
The Lakers GM had only good things to say about the Slovenian national team program: “We are happy to be here. It is great to be associated with the Slovenian national team. The entire Lakers franchise is extremely proud of everything Luka does with this team, everything they do together for this country. We wanted to travel here to be here to show our support. We followed the national team’s training. It seems that they are completely focused on getting their first win in the tournament tomorrow against Poland.”
The Lakers are fully supporting Doncic’s commitment to his national team play, as Pelinka explained: “Jeanie and I talked to Luka, and he realizes that he is the leader of this team. He quickly lets you know how much pride he feels in the national team jersey. He is very close to his teammates. We are aware that he is the first star of this national team; we believe in that too. We have worked a lot with the national team. As long as he feels the passion for the basketball he plays, it can only be good. I think everyone should follow that, whether it is music, art, sports, or anything. We would never interfere with that.”
And speaking about the NBA season, Pelinka didn’t hide the team’s title ambitions: “Absolutely, the title next year is our plan. With Dončić and LeBron, we have two top players; now we want to build a real team around them. It was good to see new basketball players coming to training camp. DeAndre Ayton is a great reinforcement, and such a center will be key for Luka’s passes. Marcus Smart will contribute on defense. But first, we want Luka to focus completely on this tournament with Slovenia. Then he can focus on the Lakers again”.
Slim Luka doesn’t affect France
Before Slovenia’s press conference, the French national team also addressed the media in their pre-event press conference, with captain Guerschon Yabusele being asked to share his thoughts on Dončić’s summer preparation and conditioning.
“I don’t think our goal is to watch how his body changes over the summer. It’s not just about Luka. There are a lot of tough teams in our group, so we’re focused on ourselves,” Yabusele replied.
France is in the same first-phase group as Slovenia and is the favorite to finish on top.
Photo credit: Slovenian basketball federation