‘Representing My Country Is Always a Privilege’: Luka Dončić Sets Stage for EuroBasket 2025 Run
The spotlight shifts to Katowice on Thursday as Slovenia, led by Luka Dončić, begins its EuroBasket 2025 campaign with an opening clash against host nation Poland. For Dončić, the matchup carries emotional weight. Poland stunned Slovenia in the 2022 quarterfinals, handing the 2017 champions a crushing exit.
Before the opener, Dončić spoke about Slovenia’s outlook heading into the tournament.
“We are very excited to be here and represent our country, it is always a privilege,” Dončić said. “It is difficult to say what we will achieve, we will see, but we are well prepared, we are in this together, so I can’t wait to get started.”
This time, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar insists it’s not about revenge — though he admits the loss still fuels him.
“Whether revenge or not, I want to win every game,” Dončić said. “The Poles are home, so it’s going to be very difficult. They play great together, because they’ve been a team for a very long time. There’s definitely some motivation behind it, because they beat us in the quarterfinals, but you have to beat every team if you want to get through and win something.”
Luka Dončić’s Leadership Role
Now 26 and the clear captain of Slovenia’s program, Dončić stressed both accountability and support for his younger teammates. Slovenia is entering its first EuroBasket without longtime leader Goran Dragić, who retired from international play.
“A mixture of insight and some less than nice words, as was the case with me when I started,” Dončić said. “Some of them have never been to a major competition, so they need to be supported to the fullest. Top teams aren’t just friendly — sometimes you have to say some harsh words. We talked, so I think we’re a lot better than we were.”
He acknowledged that tough conversations are part of building a competitive group.
“Top teams aren’t just friendly — sometimes you have to say some harsh words,” Dončić said. “We talked, so I think we’re a lot better than we were.”
He also downplayed personal pressure in carrying Slovenia’s hopes, emphasizing a collective approach instead.
“There is pressure, but there is no pressure,” Dončić said. “We either win as a team or lose as a team. It will never be just one person’s fault, but all twelve will be to blame if we lose. I don’t see it as pressure, because we do what we like, and that’s how we make money, so there shouldn’t be any pressure.”
Los Angeles Lakers’ Support and Personal Growth
Dončić credited Lakers executives Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss for traveling across the globe to watch him compete in Poland, a gesture that underlined the strong support he has from his NBA franchise.
“It’s huge,” he said. “It’s a very long flight, eleven or twelve hours from Los Angeles, so their support means a lot to me. There was no problem with me wanting to play, they always supported me. It’s an honor they came — it shows what kind of relationship we have.”
When asked about his growth since 2022, Dončić brushed aside any narrative of transformation.
“I try to improve every year, I’m also three years older, but not much has changed for me,” he said. “I might be less tired, faster, but nothing specifically different. I just want to win games and help the team achieve something big.”
Slovenia’s EuroBasket History with Luka Dončić
Dončić’s EuroBasket résumé is already one of the most storied in modern history. At just 18 years old in 2017, he partnered with Goran Dragić to lead Slovenia to its first-ever EuroBasket title.
He averaged 14.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, displaying all-around dominance before leaving the final with an injury. The undefeated run, capped by a win over Serbia in the championship, established him as one of Europe’s elite young stars.
By 2022, Dončić had become Slovenia’s unquestioned leader. He averaged 26.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists while delivering one of the most iconic performances in tournament history with 47 points against France, the second-highest single-game scoring total in EuroBasket history.
He followed that with 35 points in a Round of 16 win over Belgium, but Slovenia’s run ended in the quarterfinal upset to Poland, a game where Dončić finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists while battling foul trouble and inconsistency.
Thursday’s matchup represents his third EuroBasket meeting against Poland — debuting against them in 2017, facing them in 2022, and now meeting them again on their home floor.
The Stakes in Group D
Poland, the 2022 semifinalists, are banking on home-court energy to propel them forward again. France, the 2022 runners-up, arrives in transition as Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert are not playing.
Belgium remains a scrappy unit that relies on chemistry more than star power, while Israel continues to battle group stage struggles, having lost five of their last seven games at this stage. Iceland, meanwhile, is still chasing its first EuroBasket victory after dropping all 10 of its previous contests in the tournament.
But make no mistake, the story of Group D begins with Dončić. He remains both Slovenia’s greatest strength and the focal point of every opponent’s game plan.
“Representing my country is always a privilege,” Dončić said. “If I’m healthy, I’ll always play.”
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