Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks superstar and Slovenia's most celebrated basketball export, has made a difficult decision that will keep him off the court this summer. The five-time NBA All-Star announced late Monday that he will not be joining the Slovenian national team for their upcoming summer matches, citing an ongoing custody dispute with his ex-fiancée, Anamaria Goltes.
Doncic spent the entire postseason sidelined with a hamstring strain, watching from the bench as the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round. Now, instead of returning to action with Slovenia as they prepare for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying campaign, he's choosing to focus on family matters.
In a heartfelt statement posted to his Instagram story in both English and Slovenian, Doncic explained his reasoning. "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 traveling and playing for the Slovenian national team and being with my daughters this summer."
It's a significant blow for Slovenia's national program, which has relied heavily on Doncic's brilliance in recent years. The 27-year-old guard has been a cornerstone for his home country, leading them to historic achievements including a EuroBasket title in 2017. But this summer, the national team will have to navigate without their talisman.
"I have given everything to representing Slovenia and I am disappointed that I will not be able to play for my country this summer," Doncic continued. "But right now, my daughters and my responsibilities as a father are my priority."
For fans who've grown accustomed to seeing Doncic in the green and white of Slovenia, it's a reminder that even the world's biggest stars have priorities beyond the hardwood. The custody battle with Goltes, his ex-fiancée and mother of his children, has forced Doncic to make a choice that no parent should have to make between career and family.
As the basketball world looks ahead to the 2027 World Cup, Slovenia will hope to have their superstar back when the stakes are highest. But for now, Doncic is trading his jersey for a different kind of uniform—that of a father fighting for time with his daughters.