Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has an opportunity to play for the Slovenian national team this summer. However, he will not take it as he focuses on a personal family matter.
Videos by FanBuzz
"I love my daughters more than anything, and they will always come first in my life," Doncic wrote on Instagram. "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.
"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."
A former member of the Dallas Mavericks, Doncic was previously engaged to Anamaria Goltes. They welcomed their first daughter, Gabriela, in the November 2023. They then welcomed their second child, Olivia, in December 2024 after the Mavericks traded Doncic to the Lakers.
Doncic traveled to Slovenia to be present for Olivia's birth, and he missed games against the Raptors and Celtics. According to reports, a disagreement took place between the NBA player and Goltes. The authorities came to the hospital but "did not detect any elements of a criminal offense or a misdemeanor."
Doncic ultimately broke off the engagement to Goltes, and he filed an interim injunction in Slovenian courts seeking immediate contact with his daughters.
"I love my daughters more than anything and I've been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the U.S. during the season, but that hasn't been possible, so I recently made the tough decision to end my engagement," Doncic told ESPN in a statement in March.
"Everything I do is for my daughters' happiness and I will always fight to be with them and give them the best life I can."
