Lakers player Jaxson Hayes is excited about the idea of playing alongside Luka Doncic, even in the Slovenian national team. Hayes, a 7-foot tall center, has expressed his desire to represent Slovenia in international competitions, seeking to obtain a passport that allows him to occupy the position of naturalized citizen in the team.
Union with Doncic
The connection between Hayes and Doncic on the Lakers has been a key factor in this decision. The agent of both players, Bill Duffy of WME Sports, was the one who suggested the possibility of playing for Slovenia, even before Doncic was traded to Los Angeles. I want to play on that stage. I’ll do whatever it takes to be there. Hayes’ motivation is also related to the selection process for the United States national basketball team. The Lakers coach, JJ Redick, supports Hayes’ initiative. The next major event Slovenia hopes to participate in is the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 in Doha, Qatar. There will be six qualifying windows starting in November, but only two of them will be outside the NBA season, making it unlikely that Hayes or Doncic will be significant contributors.
