Today, the Polish Nationals hosted Slovenia in the first round of FIBA Eurobasket 2025, a raucous crowd of Spodek Arena in Katowice, Poland.
But Slovenian star Luka Doncic has at least a few familiar people who have taken root in him. Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, general manager Rob Pelinka and others from Los Angeles made a 6,000-mile, 12-hour flight to support the cornerstone of the Lakers’ future.
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“We just want to make a statement to Luca, we support everything he has done for his country,” Pelinka told Dan Walker in Poland’s track and field athletics before the game. “It's very important for the Lakers, when we have a player that is the face of our franchise, just to prove our support. It's great to meet, interact and have fun with his teammates.”
Rob Pelinka, Luka Doncic and Jeanie Buss were training matches on the Slovenian national basketball team before Fiba Eurobasket in Katowice, Poland on Wednesday. (Marcin Golba/AP)
It turns out that the game may not be that interesting for Doncic and Slovenia, who lost 105-95 to Poland. Doncic led all scorers with 34 points, including 14 points in the first quarter. He completed nine assists, five steals and four rebounds.
Doncic became the first player to combine more than 30 points, five or more assists and five or more steals in a European shoe game. And, since Juan Carlos Navarro's 17 free throws against Croatia in 2005, his most free throws were any European shoe player.
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Still, the drama circulating on social media was evaluated after abandoning a long one-handed three-pointer trying to try to foul.
Doncic traded with Dallas Mavericks center Anthony Davis on February 1 and signed a three-year $165 million contract extension with the Lakers on August 2. The five-time All-NBA guard averaged 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists over his seven-year career.
Read more: Luka Doncic
Poland disturbed Slovenia in the quarterfinals of European Shoes in 2022, with three stars in Alexander Barkarovski, Jordan Leud and Mattus Ponetka. Slovenia is missing several key players – Josh Nebo, Vlatkočančar, Jakablažič and Zoran Dragić – exerting pressure, exerting Doncic's pressure.
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The game brings together top European national teams. In addition to Doncic, NBA stars participating include Kristaps Porziņģis, Nikola Jokic and Alperen Sengun. Don Sici is determined to continue to represent his country in international competition.
“It's an easy option,” he told Woike. “I always want to represent my country. It's always like this. No matter what.”
Doncic, 26, is in the best physical condition of his career. He spent the summer in Croatia, working out twice a day and following a gluten-free, low-sugar, high-protein diet.
Read more: Gilbert Arenas
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“He is in good condition and is really committed to working hard this summer and being able to watch for the people who are worth flying on the ocean,” Pelinka said.
Pelinka and the bus travel to Poland with Kurt Rambis, Linda Rambis and the director of Player Performance and Health Leroy Sims.
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The story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.