When the Los Angeles Lakers came to Slovenia: Luka Dončić brings world basketball home

For a few days, Ljubljana has become one of the most talked-about places in basketball. Luka Dončić invited almost the entire, newly reshaped Los Angeles Lakers roster to Slovenia, not for an official game or a public tournament, but for a private four-day team gathering built around training, time together and an introduction to the country he calls home.

The Lakers' arrival at Ljubljana Airport was already a major story. By Friday, the visit had moved well beyond the airport and hotel. The players trained at Stožice Arena, had lunch at Ljubljana Castle and later travelled through the city centre by boat on the Ljubljanica River.

Basketball first, then Ljubljana

Friday morning began with an approximately two-hour training session at Stožice Arena. Young fans waited outside the hall and in the garage with basketballs, jerseys and phones. Several players stopped for autographs and photographs. Bronny James received an especially warm welcome and took time to speak with the children. When Dončić appeared, the crowd greeted him with chants of "MVP".

For the Lakers, this was a training session far from Los Angeles. For the young Slovenian fans, it may have been the kind of encounter they will remember for years. The NBA usually reaches them through television and social media. For a few minutes, it was right there in their home arena.

After training, the team travelled to Ljubljana Castle for lunch. In a single day, the players experienced two very different sides of the capital: its largest modern sports arena and the historic castle overlooking the old town. They later boarded a boat for a trip along the Ljubljanica River. Heavy rain and a strong storm did not stop fans from gathering along the riverbanks to wave, cheer and take photographs.

A direct appearance at the Triple Bridge did not happen in the form many fans had expected. Members of Team 77x handed out several signed Dončić jerseys to those waiting in the rain. Once the weather improved, the crowd finally saw the players as their boat moved through the city centre.

The first evening: "Squad up in Slovenia"

The visit began on Thursday when the players arrived by private aircraft and checked into a hotel in central Ljubljana. They spent their first evening together over dinner. Soon afterwards, the official Lakers Instagram account published relaxed photographs of the group around the table with the short caption "Squad up in Slovenia".

There were no match statistics, trophy shots or attempts to place one player above the rest. The photographs simply showed a team sharing a meal. That is also the point of Dončić's invitation: after a summer of roster changes, the players have time to get to know one another before the official preparations begin.

According to Slovenia's official national portal, Dončić organised and financed the visit himself and invited 14 teammates to join him. The first reactions were brief but positive. Jaden Hardy described Slovenia as "incredible", while Collin Sexton said the group was having a great time.

Dončić as host and team leader

Four days together cannot replace a full pre-season training programme. They can, however, give players time to talk away from the normal pressure of practices, matches, press conferences and constant travel.

International sports media have also interpreted the invitation as another indication of Dončić's growing leadership role with the Lakers. Delo's review of foreign coverage found that reports in the United States and Europe focused on team chemistry, personal relationships and preparation for the coming NBA season.

In Slovenia, Dončić is more than the team's star player. He is the host. He is introducing his teammates to the city where he grew up, the food he enjoys and places that carry personal meaning for him. This is why the visit feels different from a standard promotional tour. The itinerary is connected to his own story and not built around a formal advertising campaign.

A rare opportunity for Slovenian tourism

For Slovenia, the visit offers publicity that would be difficult to reproduce through conventional advertising. The Lakers speak to a worldwide audience, and their posts can reach basketball fans who may know Dončić well but have never considered visiting his country.

A photograph from dinner in Ljubljana, a video from Stožice or a boat trip through the old town places Slovenia directly in front of millions of potential travellers. The content feels natural because it comes through players and team channels rather than a polished tourism advertisement.

The mix of basketball and local experiences is especially useful. In one compact programme, Slovenia can offer high-level sports facilities, an attractive and walkable capital, good food and easy access to nature. Bled and golf were also mentioned as possible parts of the itinerary, although by Friday evening those activities had not yet been confirmed as completed.

The images also communicate something that is harder to put into a slogan: Slovenia is small enough for very different experiences to fit into a short trip. The team can train at a professional arena, have lunch in a castle and travel through the old town by boat on the same day.

Slovenia in purple and gold

The Lakers' stay is neither a public match nor a conventional promotional event. It is primarily a private team gathering. Dončić's international profile, the Lakers' global reach and the enthusiasm of Slovenian fans have nevertheless turned it into one of the country's biggest sports stories of the summer.

Stožice Arena, Ljubljana Castle, the Triple Bridge and the Ljubljanica River all became part of the same story. The players came to strengthen relationships before a demanding NBA season. Ljubljana welcomed them with rain, crowds and plenty of curiosity. At the centre of it all is Luka Dončić, showing his teammates where he comes from and giving the rest of the world a closer look at Slovenia.

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