Lakers center Jaxson Hayes seeks Slovenian passport to join national team alongside Luka Doncic
hayes-aims-slovenia-passport-with-doncic
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes said Sunday he is in the process of obtaining a Slovenian passport so he can play for Slovenia’s men’s national team with teammate Luka Doncic during future international competitions.
The 25-year-old, 7-foot center, born in Norman, Oklahoma, explained that Slovenia is permitted one naturalized player on its roster and he hopes to fill that slot. Hayes said the idea was first raised by his and Doncic’s agent, Bill Duffy of WME Sports, even before Doncic was traded to the Lakers last winter.
“USA doesn’t do open tryouts,” Hayes said. “I feel like there are guys they invite that shouldn’t be there. I want to play on that stage, and I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Duffy previously helped American forward Anthony Randolph become a naturalized Slovenian citizen, a move that contributed to Slovenia’s gold medal at EuroBasket 2017. The agent also represented Steve Nash and often cites Nash’s experience with Canada Basketball as a springboard to his two NBA MVP awards.
Doncic led Slovenia to the 2025 EuroBasket quarterfinals, averaging 34.7 points—the highest tournament scoring average since Greece’s Nikos Galis posted 35.6 in 1989. Josh Nebo, another American-born center, had been slated to join Slovenia last summer but withdrew because of injury.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick endorsed Hayes’ plan. “My USA Basketball experiences were invaluable,” Redick said. “Being around great players and learning the international game helped me. For Jaxson, building chemistry with Luka in that setting would be awesome.”
The next major opportunity for Slovenia is the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Doha, Qatar. Qualifying begins in November and includes six windows, only two of which fall outside the NBA season, making substantial participation by Hayes and Doncic unlikely.
“Obviously I’d love to represent my own country,” Hayes added, “but we don’t do open tryouts. It is what it is.”
Source: ESPN
