By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
It was not in doubt, but Luka Doncic confirmed his intention to represent Slovenia once more and be part of the senior national team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
In the recent international window, Slovenia clinched a berth in the World Cup. Barring an unexpected setback, Doncic will be on board as the star of one of the 32 national teams competing in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia, from 25 August to 10 September 2023.
“Luka confirmed his participation a minute after the game with Germany, when it was certain that we would go to the championship,” Basketball Federation of Slovenia president Matej Erjavec told RTV, the country’s national public broadcaster, “To be very honest, we were actually 99% sure already after the game against Israel and even then, it was a great joy and a reassurance at the same time. If Luka is healthy, there is no fear at all.”
Erjavec was referring to the latest action in Group J of the European Qualifiers, against Israel on 11 November and Germany on 14 November.
“His attitude is really amazing,” the KZS leader complimented Doncic, “It was 6:00 a.m. in Dallas when there was the game with Israel. He watched this game. It’s not the easiest thing to get up at 6:00 a.m. to watch a game when you have games and away games.”
Doncic, 23, has been a regular for the senior national team since the 2017 EuroBasket and capturing gold in Turkey. He went on to represent his country in the 2020 Olympic Games held in 2021 and the 2022 EuroBasket, plus the 2021 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Kaunas.
After reaching the Quarterfinals of EuroBasket last summer, he is up to 33.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 8.1 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks per contest with the Dallas Mavericks, in the top end of the 2022-23 NBA Regular Season.
“The club, led by coach Jason Kidd and owner Mark Cuban, approves of this approach. They approve of his participation,” mentioned Erjavec commenting on the Mavs blessings.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL