Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss and president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka made an 11-to-12-hour flight to Katowice, Poland, to watch Luka Doncic train with the Slovenian national team on August 27, 2025, ahead of FIBA EuroBasket 2025.
The gesture resonated with the All-NBA guard, who will captain Slovenia in the continental tournament at Spodek Arena.
Doncic appreciates in-person support
“It means a lot,” Doncic said after practice. “It’s a long flight. I think it’s like 11, 12 hours, so it means a lot for them just to be here to support me.”
Lakers explain decision to travel
Pelinka, who watched the session alongside Buss, said the club wanted to underline its backing of the franchise cornerstone despite the inherent injury risks of summer competition.
“We just wanted to make a statement to Luka that we support what he does for his country,” Pelinka stated. “That’s really important to the Lakers when we have a player that’s the face of our franchise, just to show that support for him. … To be able to watch that in person was worth flying over the ocean to come be with him.”
Doncic emerged from training healthy and is expected to lead Slovenia when EuroBasket play begins. Buss and Pelinka returned to Los Angeles after the visit.
Source: Lakers Nation
