Team Profile: Can Luka carry Slovenia to a first world podium?

OKINAWA (Japan) - Slovenia aren't short of motivation now that they've made their way back into the tournament field four years after missing out on the FIBA Basketball World Cup in China.

The Roster

Luka Doncic headlines the team that's viewed by some as one of the favorites in the upcoming tournament, given their rise over the past six years.

 

Doncic, the face of the Dallas Mavericks, is joined by sharp-shooter Klemen Prepelic, center Mike Tobey, forward Jaka Blazic, and guard Zoran Dragic - integral pieces for the national team in its run to the Tokyo Olympics Semi-Finals.

Point guard Ziga Samar, 22,  could also log important minutes for coach Aleksander Sekulic.

The Question

Will Slovenia get back to the podium?

After winning their first-ever FIBA EuroBasket in 2017, Slovenia did not qualify for the the 2019 World Cup, came within a made layup against France of reaching the Tokyo Olympic Final, and then fell to Australia in the Bronze Medal Game. Slovenia next went into the EuroBasket 2022 Quarter-Finals and were upset by Poland.

The Hope

Despite those results, Slovenia remain a dangerous team, mainly because there's more to the squad than Doncic, who's been with the team since 2017.

Sure, their recent success is mainly attributable to the brilliance of Doncic but they also have Prepelic - a key man in their 2017 EuroBasket title run - with Dragic, Blazic and Tobey providing support. Tobey and Dragin were among the five players that averaged double-digits in points in Tokyo.

It's worth noting, too, that they sealed their World Cup ticket with a window to spare in the European Qualifiers without Doncic, as Samar starred in a home win over Germany with a solid all-around outing.

The Fear

If there is plenty of experience in this team that at times has run opponents off the court, what Slovenia should all hope for is good health.

Yes. Simple as that. In the EuroBasket alone, Slovenia lost Zoran Dragic to a quad injury in the Round of 16 and had only 11 players in their eventual loss to the Polish in the Quarter-Finals. It didn't help, too, that Doncic played with a back injury in that game.

One can't help but wonder how that campaign would've turned out had they all remained injury-free. But it's all in the past now as the Slovenians try to improve on their Quarter-Final finishes in 2010 and 2014.

 IN THE LAST 10 FIBA EVENTS

YEAR	EVENT	LOCATION	ACHIEVEMENT
2022	FIBA EuroBasket	CZE-GER-ITA-GER	6th
2021	Olympics	Tokyo (JPN)	4th
2019	FIBA Basketball World Cup	Beijing (CHN)	Did not qualify
2017	FIBA EuroBasket	Istanbul (TUR)	1st
2016	Olympics	Rio de Janeiro (BRA)	Did not qualify
2015	FIBA EuroBasket	Lille (FRA)	12th
2014	FIBA Basketball World Cup	Madrid (ESP)	7th
2013	FIBA EuroBasket	Ljubljana (SLO)	5th
2012	Olympics	London (GBR)	Did not qualify
2011	FIBA EuroBasket	Kaunas (LTU)	7th

The Poll

More?

For a deeper look on Slovenia's journey to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, click here.

FIBA