Discover the home country of basketball player Luka Dončić

Slovenia through the eyes of NBA superstar Luka Dončić

Luka Dončić is one of the hottest names in basketball. As the ambassador of Slovenian tourism, Dončić represents his home country around the world with his charisma. Be it at a remarkable event on Lake Bled for the launch of his special basketball sneakers, his engagement to his long-time girlfriend Anamaria at Bled Castle or his basketball magic, Dončić is winning the hearts of fans around the world with his sports skills and charming personality.

In early February 2025, the world was astonished to hear that Luka had joined the Los Angeles Lakers. He will continue to wear his distinctive jersey number #77 playing for the iconic Californian club. Luka is not only one of the best basketball players in the world, but also one of the most globally recognised Slovenians, a fan favourite and an ambassador of Slovenian tourism. Slovenians are immensely proud of him and Luka carries a piece of Slovenia with him no matter where he plays.

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Despite living abroad since he was very young, Luka has not forgotten the country where his remarkable sporting career began. In the national team jersey, he has used his quick wits and talent to contribute to historic achievements in Slovenian basketball, such as becoming European champions in 2017 and qualifying for the Tokyo Olympic Games, where the Slovenian team finished 4th.

Ljubljana – Luka Dončić’s hometown

Luka Dončić spent his childhood in Ljubljana. This lively European capital with an abundance of green spaces and sports infrastructure offers many opportunities for sporting activities. Let us offer you some suggestions for an active visit to Ljubljana.

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WHEN I WAS A CHILD, LJUBLJANA, THE CITY OF MY CHILDHOOD, HAD PLENTY OF PLAYGROUNDS AND BASKETBALL COURTS. I SPENT MOST OF MY TIME ON THE PLAYGROUND NEAR MY HOME, OF COURSE. BUT WHEN THIS PASSION GRABS YOU, YOU SEE BASKETS EVERYWHERE! IN SLOVENIA, WHICH IS A HIGHLY FORESTED COUNTRY, THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN RUNNING ALONG A FOREST TRAIL TO DISCONNECT AND IMMERSE YOURSELF IN NATURE.

Luka Dončić about Ljubljana

The wonder boy who has sent the basketball world into frenzy

With his versatility, creativity and brilliant play, Luka, nicknamed "the Wonder Boy", has won the hearts of basketball fans all across the globe.

He has shown exceptional talent and love for basketball from a very early age. A basketball was the first thing on his birthday list since he was little. Although he has tried other sports, his first love remains basketball, at which he has always excelled.

In his early teens, he tasted the joy of playing on the European stage and was hailed by experts as one of the greatest talents in Slovenia and Europe.  At 13 years of age, Luka wore the jersey of Spanish giant Real Madrid, with whom he became a European club champion in the 2017/2018 season when he was voted EuroLeague's most valuable player. At the 2018 NBA draft, the Atlanta Hawks selected Dončić as their third overall pick and then traded him to the Dallas Mavericks; Dončić thus became the highest ranking Slovenian in the history of the NBA draft.

Alongside Luka Dončić another Slovenian basketball player, Goran Dragić, wearing the jersey of Eastern Conference club Milwaukee Bucks, has been thrilling basketball fans in the NBA in recent years. In the 2017/18 season he was the first Slovenian to play his way into the NBA All-Star Game. Although Goran and Luka would be rivals in the All-Star Game, they are good acquaintances and friends. In the Slovenian national team jersey the two basketball players celebrated together the Eurobasket championship title in 2017 and were selected among the tournament’s best five players for the all-tournament team. Dragič was also voted Eurobasket MVP. They joined forces yet again at the EuroBasket 2022 and led Slovenia among the top eight basketball teams in Europe.

Explore Slovenia

Ljubljana, the hometown of Luka Dončić, is an ideal base from which to explore the rest of Slovenia and its diversity. Whether you head off to the sea, the Alps or the Pannonian plain, the journey will not take more than two hours. See the major sights and treasures of Slovenian heritage and experience the most unforgettable adventures.