Dončić explains Slovenia absence: “The main reason is my daughters”

By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net

Luka Dončić confirmed that he will not play for Slovenia at any point during the upcoming World Cup qualifying window, putting an end to speculation about a potential return later this summer.

The Los Angeles Lakers star spoke during a Jordan Brand event in Ljubljana, where he also addressed his recovery from injury, reflected on the Lakers‘ season, discussed Slovenia’s national team outlook, and shared thoughts on his offseason priorities.

Dončić revealed that family remains his primary focus this summer, while also expressing confidence in Slovenia’s chances despite his absence and confirming that his injury issues are now behind him.

“We already know that I won’t play for the national team. The main reason is my daughters. Everything else is pretty much the same. I’m doing individual workouts, training in the gym, and also playing other sports. This year golf has become part of the routine, so it’s a little different. Golf is amazing. We played a lot with the team before. Now we can’t because we’re apart. It’s really relaxing—you’re out in nature, away from your phone, at peace. It’s one of the best things,” Dončić told per Siol.

Despite opting out of national team duty this summer, the Lakers star believes Slovenia has enough quality and leadership to navigate the upcoming World Cup qualifiers successfully.

“The national team has a mix of young and experienced players. The future belongs to the young. Everyone who is part of the team knows what it takes. I wish them success and victories. The leaders are clear, everyone knows their role, so I’m not worried about them.”

He also commented on the addition of his Los Angeles Lakers teammate, Jaxson Hayes, who recently completed the process of becoming eligible to represent Slovenia.

“I wasn’t involved in that process at all. I just play for the national team. But Jaxson is great, a very good player, so it’s an excellent addition.”

With no national team obligations on his schedule, Dončić plans to use the summer to spend time with his family and continue preparing for the next NBA season.

“The most important thing for me is being at home with my daughters. Right now, that’s what matters most. I also have a lot of friends here. This is my home, so it’s always nice to come back to Ljubljana.”

The 27-year-old also provided a positive update regarding the injury that affected him toward the end of the NBA campaign.

“I feel good. It’s all behind me.”

Looking back on the Lakers’ season, Dončić admitted the outcome fell short of expectations after injuries disrupted the team’s momentum.

“I always say a season is unsuccessful if you don’t win a title. We were unlucky. I was unlucky, Austin was injured too. In March we were playing really good basketball, but in the end it didn’t work out. As for the future, it’s still far away, but I hope everything moves in the right direction.”

Dončić acknowledged that he paid little attention to the remainder of the NBA playoffs following the Lakers’ elimination.

“For me, it’s way too early. Waking up at three in the morning isn’t happening, so I didn’t watch.”

He has, however, been following the FIFA World Cup and said he has enjoyed watching the tournament unfold.

“I’ve been watching the World Cup. Unfortunately, I can’t be there even though I’m an ambassador, but I follow it on television all the time. I don’t really have a favorite. I support Brazil and Spain. Mostly, I just hope for good matches.”

Returning to Slovenia remains a special experience for Dončić, despite the attention that follows him wherever he goes.

“At home, I hardly go anywhere anymore. Sometimes I miss that, but it’s part of the price of achieving what I wanted to achieve, and I’ve accepted it. It’s very different from Los Angeles because the culture and the country are different, but I feel great in LA too. Still, coming home is always special.”

The conversation also touched on one-on-one basketball, fitting given the focus of The One tournament. Asked about the toughest and most enjoyable opponents he has faced in that setting, Dončić immediately mentioned a former teammate.

“We play a lot of one-on-one in practice. One of the most incredible players to go against was Kyrie Irving because there are very few players in the world like him in one-on-one basketball. He was the most fun to play against. Of course, I was the one winning because I played with power,” Luka Doncic concluded.