Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic announced via Instagram that he is stepping back from Slovenia's national team this summer to focus on his two young daughters while navigating an ongoing custody dispute with his former fiancée, Anamaria Goltes.
Doncic ended his engagement with Goltes earlier this year, citing his inability to have their daughters with him during the NBA season in the United States. The couple's daughters were born in November 2023 and December 2025.
The custody battle has escalated, with Goltes filing for child support and attorney fees in California. According to reports, Doncic has been unable to see his daughters consistently over the past eight months.
"I have given everything to representing Slovenia," Doncic wrote in his announcement, "and I am disappointed that I will not be able to play for my country this summer. But right now, my daughters and my responsibilities as a father are my priority."
International custody arrangements are notoriously complex, particularly when one parent maintains a high-profile career across continents. Doncic has spent much of his daughters' earliest years either separated from them or navigating competing obligations between his NBA career and parental responsibilities.
The decision marks a significant sacrifice for the NBA star, who has been a key player for Slovenia's national team. His willingness to sit out international competition underscores the logistical and personal challenges athletes face when balancing elite-level careers with family responsibilities.
