Luka Doncic has formally dominated himself out of Slovenia’s upcoming FIBA World Cup qualifiers, confirming on Monday, Could 11, that he won’t be a part of the nationwide workforce this summer time as he continues restoration and focuses on private duties.
The Los Angeles Lakers star shared the announcement by way of an Instagram story, explaining a call pushed away from basketball commitments and centered on household priorities.
“I like my daughters greater than something, and they’ll at all times come first in my life,” Doncic acknowledged. “As I proceed working towards joint custody of my daughters, I’ve been compelled to make a tough determination between touring and enjoying for the Slovenian nationwide workforce and being with my daughters this summer time.”
He added that his absence shouldn’t be linked to a scarcity of dedication to Slovenia, however to circumstances off the courtroom which have turn into more and more restrictive over the previous months.
“Sadly, it has been made extraordinarily tough for me to see them over the previous eight months,” Doncic mentioned. “I’ve given all the pieces to representing Slovenia and I’m dissatisfied that I won’t be able to play for my nation this summer time.”
The Lakers guard additionally acknowledged the emotional weight of stepping away from nationwide obligation throughout an important aggressive window.
“However proper now, my daughters and my duties as a father are my precedence,” he concluded.
Doncic missed the tip of the NBA season and all the playoffs as a result of a hamstring harm, and his absence from Slovenia’s summer time marketing campaign extends a chronic interval away from aggressive basketball at each membership and worldwide stage.
Slovenia enters the subsequent section of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers in a powerful place inside Group H, holding a 3-1 report. The workforce has already secured 372 factors scored and a +52 level differential, sitting above Czech Republic, Estonia, and Sweden within the standings.
The schedule nonetheless presents key fixtures, together with Slovenia’s upcoming conflict in opposition to Estonia on July 3, a matchup that would affect remaining group positioning earlier than the second spherical construction begins.
Beneath FIBA’s qualification system for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar, outcomes from the primary spherical carry over into the subsequent stage, which means Slovenia’s present performances stay important regardless of Doncic’s absence.
With out its NBA centerpiece, Slovenia will rely extra closely on its established core and system continuity. The workforce has already proven stability throughout 4 video games, however dropping a main offensive initiator reshapes spacing, creation, and late-game execution.
The 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, scheduled from August 27 to September 12 in Qatar, will function 32 nationwide groups, with qualification stretching throughout a number of continents and home windows.
