Luka Doncic Targets Podium Finish as Slovenia Advances to EuroBasket Round of 16
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic said Slovenia is aiming for a medal after the national team secured a place in the EuroBasket 2025 round of 16.
“We’re hoping for the medal. We think we can win a medal. I know a lot of others don’t, but we believe in us,” Doncic told reporters on Sept. 4, according to a translation shared by Luka Updates on X.
Slovenia clinched its knockout berth by defeating Iceland and closing group play with a 37-point outburst from Doncic in a decisive victory over Israel. The 37 points made Doncic Slovenia’s all-time leading scorer in international competition.
The reigning Olympic semifinalists finished group play at Spodek Arena in Katowice, Poland, and will face Italy in the first elimination game. Italy placed second in Group C at 4-1 and features NBA players Simone Fontecchio and Danilo Gallinari.
The Italy–Slovenia winner will meet the survivor of Germany vs. Portugal in the quarterfinals, creating a potential path through multiple NBA-loaded rosters such as Serbia, Germany, France and Turkey.
Doncic, who also spent the offseason on a Jordan Brand tour and a personal conditioning program, has been the focal point of Slovenia’s offense throughout exhibition games and pool play.
Source: Lakers Nation
