Luka Doncic has not contacted his Slovenia national team teammates while hosting a private Los Angeles Lakers minicamp in Slovenia, according to veteran center Alen Omic, as the superstar sits out the summer for family reasons ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers.
Slovenia Prepares Without Doncic Amid World Cup Qualifiers
The Los Angeles Lakers star remains separated from national team preparations as Slovenia navigates a demanding stretch of the FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. Following an 85-78 friendly loss to Montenegro, Alen Omic addressed Doncic’s absence from the team’s communication channels while speaking to Ekipa. According to Omic, the veteran players have maintained a boundary with their absent teammate.
“No, he did not speak,” Omic said, as reported by Ekipa. “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.”
Slovenia enters the second round of qualifying with a 3-3 record in Group L, tied alongside Estonia, Sweden, and Hungary. France leads the group at 5-1, while Finland holds second place at 4-2. With only the top three teams securing qualification for the tournament in Qatar, upcoming fixtures carry immense weight. Slovenia opens second-round play against France in Paris on August 27 before returning to Stozice Arena to face Hungary on August 30.
Family Priorities Guide Offseason Decision
Doncic opted out of the August qualifying window earlier this summer to prioritize time at home. Back in June, the 27-year-old guard explained that his daughters formed the primary motivation behind his decision to skip national team commitments for the window.
“The main reason is my daughters. The most important thing for me is being at home with my daughters. Right now, that’s what matters most,” Doncic stated in June.
Slovenia head coach Aleksander Sekulic subsequently omitted Doncic from his preliminary roster, with the national federation citing personal reasons for his unavailability. According to Siol, Slovenia federation president Matej Erjavec and national team sporting director Sasa Doncic—Luka’s father—plan to visit the Los Angeles Lakers in November once the NBA regular season is underway. Erjavec noted that the organization aims to replicate the close working relationship they previously established with the Dallas Mavericks.
Lakers Minicamp in Slovenia
While his national teammates traveled for friendly fixtures and prepared for Paris, Doncic turned his focus toward club integration by hosting nearly the entire Los Angeles Lakers roster in Slovenia. The private offseason gathering is designed to build team chemistry and jump-start basketball preparations ahead of the 2026-27 NBA campaign.
According to reports covering the trip, Doncic arranged a chartered flight for a large contingent of players and prepared Slovenian-themed welcome gifts. Upon arriving in Ljubljana, the team checked into their hotel, attended an introductory group dinner, and hit the court for a two-hour workout at Stozice Arena under Lakers assistant coach Greg St. Jean.
The itinerary extends far beyond the hardwood. Doncic organized excursions to Lake Bled, golf, and local dining spots, blending team bonding with a showcase of his home country.
Looking Ahead
As Slovenia departs for its pivotal Group L opener against France on August 27, Doncic’s attention remains fixed on his club commitments in Slovenia before the Lakers transition to official training camp.
