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dave mcmenamin
El Segundo, California– jackson hayes fun to play with luka doncic but a lot Los Angeles Lakers The 7-footer is looking forward to spending his summer playing alongside Doncic for the Slovenian national team.
Hayes said Sunday that he and Doncic’s agent, Bill Duffy of WME Sports, had raised the idea with Hayes about playing for Slovenia even before Doncic was traded to Los Angeles last winter.
The 25-year-old center, who was born in Norman, Oklahoma, said the Slovenian national team allows one naturalized citizen on its roster for international competitions, and Hayes is attempting to obtain a Slovenian passport to occupy that spot.
Part of Hayes’ inspiration was inspired by USA Basketball’s selection process for the men’s national team.
“The USA does not do open trials,” Hayes said. “And I feel like there are people that they invite to the United States [training camp] He shouldn’t be there. So, I just wanted to play on that stage…I’m going to do whatever it takes to play on that stage.”
Duffy also represented Anthony RandolphA German-born American player who became a naturalized citizen and helped Slovenia win gold at the 2017 EuroBasket tournament. Duffy also represented Steve Nash and is a big believer in how Nash’s Canadian basketball experience helped him become a two-time MVP in the NBA.
Doncic led Slovenia to the quarterfinals of the 2025 EuroBasket this summer and averaged 34.7 points per game – the most by a player in a single EuroBasket since Nikos Galis averaged 35.6 points for Greece in 1989.
That Slovenian team had planned to add another American-born center, Josh Nebo, to its roster, but the 6-9, 245-pound big man, who played his college ball for St. Francis and Texas A&M, was out due to injury.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said he supports Hayes’ interest in the Slovenian team.
Redick said, “I look back at my USA Basketball experiences and I had a lot of those experiences… They were all invaluable to me because you’re learning around great players.” “And then, you’re also learning a different way of playing in some ways. The international game is very different. And I think for him, if that happens, that connection and chemistry with Luka will be amazing.”
The next major event Slovenia is hoping to participate in is the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Doha, Qatar. There are six qualifying windows to earn a spot in the event starting in November, but only two windows are outside of the NBA season, making it unlikely that Hayes or Doncic will be significant contributors.
Hayes said, “Obviously, I would love to represent my country, but we don’t overtly try out.” “It is what it is.”
