Donnie Nelson and Greg St. Jean have joined Slovenia’s national basketball team staff, reuniting with Luka Dončić. Nelson becomes a special advisor, while St. Jean joins as coach. Slovenia prepares for EuroBasket 2025, aiming for another deep tournament run.
The Basketball Federation of Slovenia (KZS) has added two key figures to its senior national team setup: Donnie Nelson as special advisor and Greg St. Jean as part of the coaching staff. The appointments were officially announced during a press conference in Ljubljana on Friday.
The moves aim to strengthen the support around superstar Luka Dončić, who will lead Slovenia at EuroBasket 2025 and likely toward a future Olympic run.
Donnie Nelson, 62, reunites with Dončić after drafting him to the Dallas Mavericks in 2018 and serving as the team’s general manager until 2021. Nelson brings decades of basketball experience, including past roles as assistant coach for Team USA, advisor for China’s national team, and a senior staff member with Lithuania. He spent 24 years with the Mavericks in both coaching and executive roles.
“Becoming a part of Slovenian basketball is a great honor for me,” said Nelson. “Watching Luka lead the team to a bronze in Tokyo made me excited about the team’s potential. I hope to be part of the journey to Los Angeles 2028.”
Greg St. Jean returns to Slovenia’s staff after assisting in EuroBasket 2022 preparations. He worked with Dončić in Dallas from 2021 to 2023 and most recently served as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2024–25 season.
Slovenia will compete in Group D at EuroBasket 2025, facing France, Poland, Belgium, Iceland, and Israel in Katowice from August 28 to September 4. The top four teams from each group will move on to the knockout stage in Riga, taking place September 6–14.
Like what we are doing? Support us by becoming BN+ member.