By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following a team dinner and a round of golf, the Los Angeles Lakers visited Luka Doncic’s famous childhood basketball courts in Ljubljana on Sunday.
While these grounds remain a legally recognized public community space rather than the private property of the 27-year-old Slovenian combo guard, they are deeply tied to his legacy. This outdoor park is the exact arena where the young phenom spent countless hours practicing before moving to Real Madrid at age 13. Back in 2021, Doncic fulfilled his promise, supporting efforts to completely refurbish and redesign the venue, installing premium smooth surfaces, upgraded seating, night illumination, and improved rims. The park also features custom artwork, showcasing the athlete’s signature ‘77’ logo.
The upgraded site captured international attention during the four-day, privately organized offseason minicamp for his Lakers squad. Following formal training sessions at the nearby Stozice Arena, the playmaker brought his teammates out to scrimmage, bond, sign autographs, and interact with local youth. This unique trip highlighted the rapidly strengthening ties between the European nation and the iconic NBA franchise.
Meanwhile, the Basketball Federation of Slovenia is finalizing plans to officially visit the organization in the United States this upcoming November. As reported by the Slovenian Press Agency via Siol, the primary objective of this outreach during the 2026-27 Regular Season is to forge a cooperative, strategic framework between KZS and the Lakers, represented by Matej Erjavec, the president of the Slovenian Basketball Association, along with sports director and Luka’s father, Sasa Doncic.
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