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Stories from Slovenia

Discover the home country of basketball player Luka Dončić

How well do you know Slovenia? Embark on a journey to discover the homeland of the NBA's basketball virtuoso.

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.

NBA League

4 x NBA All-Star Game
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

3 x All-NBA First Team
2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

NBA Rookie of The Year and NBA All-Rookie First Team
2019

EuroLeague

EuroLeague champion
2018

EuroLeague MVP
2018

All-EuroLeague First Team
2018

2 x EuroLeague Rising Star
2018, 2017

Tokyo Olympic Games

4th place at the Tokyo Olympic Games
2021

All-Star Five at the Tokyo Olympic Basketball Tournament
2021

MVP of the Tokyo Olympic Basketball Tournament by fan vote
2021

Slovenian national basketball team

EuroBasket All-Tournament Team
2017

2017 EuroBasket Champions
2017

Other achievements of Luka Dončić

  • Euroscar European Player of the Year (2019)
  • Slovenian Sportsperson of the Year (2018)

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.

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Photo: Aleš Fevžer, OKS

 

A historic performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Luka Dončić was the driving force behind the Slovenian national basketball team, which qualified for the Olympic Games for the first time in 2021. Dončić gave wings to the Slovenian basketball team that shone at the Tokyo Olympics, surprising more experienced teams such as Spain. In the end, the Slovenian team ran out of luck and, despite putting up an incredible fight and showing great heart and team spirit, finished just out of the podium places. Even so, 4th place is an amazing ranking for a first appearance at the Olympic Games. Luka was named one of the All-Star Five of the basketball tournament and even won the fan vote for MVP.

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It’s definitely not easy. We fought till the end! What a pleasure it has been to play for our country in the first Olympics ever for us! So proud of these guys!

Luka Dončić on Twitter after the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

A WALK IN LJUBLJANA, MY BIRTHPLACE! WHEN I WANT TO SHOW SLOVENIA TO MY FRIENDS, IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO CHOOSE FROM AMONG ALL THE MANY BEAUTIFUL PLACES. THE GORENJSKA REGION WITH ITS STUNNING VIEWS OF THE ALPS, BLED, THE POSTOJNA CAVE AND, OF COURSE, THE COAST ARE ALWAYS THE WINNING CHOICES.

Luka Dončić –  basketball player, NBA superstar, Slovenia Men National Team member

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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Sports parks for every taste!

One of the most popular places for both indoor sports and outdoor activities is Tivoli Park. The sports park has halls and infrastructure for a variety of athletic activities, and from there you can also take a hike to the nearby Rožnik hill. If you are not a sports enthusiast, you can walk along the Jakopič Promenade and other walking paths and rest under the shade of trees in summer. Other sports parks, such as Kodeljevo Sports Park or Ljubljana Sports Park, also offer a broad variety of activities.

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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

A country with a strong passion for sports

We Slovenians are known for being a very sporty people. We love outdoor activities in nature such as cycling and water sports. In winter, when the snow falls, we take advantage of the snow to enjoy skiing, cross-country skiing, and other winter thrills.

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Running events

Running is one of the most popular sports activities in Slovenia. It’s therefore not surprising that many lively running events and competitions are held, and alongside the competitive spirit, you can feel a sense of camaraderie and a relaxed atmosphere

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Hiking and Mountaineering

Slovenia is an Alpine paradise. More than 10,000 kilometres of marked hiking trails and 352 mighty peaks over 2,000 metres await you. Some are only accessible to Alpine climbers and mountaineers accompanied by professional mountain guides.

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Trail running in Slovenia

Do you enjoy taking on tough running challenges that involve going up and down hills? Then don't miss the many trail runs across Slovenia, which offer rugged terrain and an unforgettable experience of wild beauty in nature.

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Cycling and biking

Explore Slovenia by bike. Riding amid the hills and plains, mountain peaks and forests, along the coast and the karst landscape and along the rivers and lakes of Slovenia is a lushly verdant fairy tale. Different trails are suitable for on-road and off-road biking.

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Skiing

Slovenia is a country of smaller ski resorts that are family-friendly and suitable for beginners, children and experienced skiers alike. Numerous ski schools and ski instructors, who speak different languages, will make sure that you really enjoy the snow.

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Water activities

Treat yourself to a swim in some of the many thermal spas and swimming pools. In summer, take a dip in the sea, lakes or rivers. Slovenia is rich in natural water resources. Visit Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj or one of the many natural swimming areas located on the coast.

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An explosion of adrenaline-filled fun

Are you up for spending a daring and exciting summer? Choose an adrenaline-filled adventure that is ideal for you and embark on an unforgettable adventure.

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Fly like a bird with the help of ziplines

Experience the landscape from a bird's perspective – enjoy a ride on the most daring ziplines in Slovenia.

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Enjoy winter activities in Slovenia!

Would you like an active experience in a fairytale winter landscape? Many opportunities for frolicking on snow and ice await you in Slovenia.

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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.

One-of-a-kind event: Luka 2 Lake Bled

A basketball spectacle took place at Bled in autumn 2023. The event featured new basketball sneakers named Air Jordan Luka 2 “Lake Bled”, which were the result of cooperation between Luka Dončić and the legendary Jordan brand. At the same time, a 3x3 basketball tournament was held on a floating basketball court in the middle of Lake Bled.

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Slovenia is a land of top athletes

Besides Luka Dončić, Slovenia has several other world-class athletes who excel in their respective sports. During their varied competitions they’re accompanied by passionate fans who create a warm and supportive atmosphere for their heroes. Do you want to know the formula for the sporting success of Slovenia, with a population of just two million people?

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