Slovenia's basketball superstar withdraws from World Cup qualifiers
In a blow to the national basketball team, NBA superstar Luka Dončić has announced he will not play for Slovenia in the World Cup qualifiers this summer, citing an ongoing custody battle.
The national team captain, who has been out of action for a while due to an injury, shared the news on social media, just minutes after his Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the NBA playoffs, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.
He wrote he had been forced to choose between international duty and his family.
"I love my daughters more than anything, and they will always come first in my life," he wrote.
"As I continue working toward joint custody of my daughters, I have been forced to make a difficult decision between travelling and playing for the Slovenian national team and being with my daughters this summer. Unfortunately, it has been made extremely difficult for me to see them over the past eight months."
"I have given everything to representing Slovenia and I am disappointed that I will not be able to play for my country this summer. But right now, my daughters and my responsibilities as a father are my priority," the 27-year-old added.
The Basketball Association of Slovenia has accepted Dončić's decision with understanding.
"Some decisions are hard to make. But they're the right ones. We understand, respect, and support Luka's decision. Luka, we wish you a summer that's all yours," the association wrote in response on social media.
Slovenia looking to book 5th World Cup berth
Dončić has been very loyal to the national team, persistently turning out for Slovenia for major tournaments. While he had not participated in the earlier qualifying windows this year, the end of his NBA campaign meant he was in a position to join the squad in July for the FIBA World Cup 2027 European qualifiers against Estonia and Sweden.
Slovenia currently sit at the top of Group H, having won three of their four games so far, and is hoping to secure a spot in the final qualifying stage scheduled for July and August.
Dončić's announcement comes on the heels of a disappointing end to his club season. Sidelined with a calf muscle injury since 3 April, the NBA's leading scorer was unable to assist the Lakers during their post-season run. The team advanced to the second round without him but was ultimately swept by the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
It remains unclear what Dončić's absence will mean for the potential national team debut of his Lakers teammate, centre Jaxson Hayes. Hayes acquired a Slovenian passport just a few weeks ago - a move heavily encouraged by Dončić - and could potentially join the Slovenian squad for the upcoming qualifiers.
Slovenia are vying for their fifth appearance at the World Cup. The 2017 European Champions achieved their best results at the tournament in Spain in 2014 and in the Philippines in 2023, finishing seventh on both occasions. Slovenia moreover finished fourth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. They made the quarter-finals at the 2025 EuroBasket in Riga.
Photo Instagram/lukadoncic
