May 5, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) runs down the court after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
May 5, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) runs down the court after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Lakers‘ team-building minicamp in Slovenia, hosted by Luka Doncic, officially ended on August 24, but the impact may resonate for a long time. While a promising trip certainly helped the Purple and Gold build chemistry, Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt appears to have formed a deeper connection with Slovenia.
The Lakers’ trip to Slovenia involved several activities, which included tourist attractions, leisure activities like golf and fishing, and some light training. On the final day of the trip, however, the team decided to extend their stay by a few hours to visit children at the local hospital.
After completing the final item on their itinerary, the Lakers were due to return home. However, during an interview, Jarred Vanderbilt seemed particularly inclined to return to Slovenia, potentially even deepening his connection with the country.
Reporter: “Jarred Vanderbilt, being with city kids, how did they react when they saw you?”
Vanderbilt: “It was amazing. The kids didn’t react; I don’t think they were old enough, but the parents were very grateful. It means everything to see the smile on their faces. I know they just went through labor and stuff like that, so it was amazing. The trip was great, so the way to end it was to go to the hospital and give back to the community. So, it was nice.”
Reporter: “Do you think you will ever come back to Slovenia?”
Vanderbilt: “I would love to. Not going to lie, didn’t know much about it before I came here, but it is definitely a spot I would revisit. So, I’m looking to get my Slovenian passport. We’ll see. Might be part Slovenian.”
It is abundantly clear that the trip to Slovenia had a bigger impact on Jarred Vanderbilt than the forward expected. Thus, even if his final remark about getting a Slovenian passport could be a joke, given his relationship with Luka Doncic, there may be reason to believe Vanderbilt could be eyeing a partnership with the Lakers’ superstar on the Slovenian men’s national team.
Could This Be A Viable Move For Jarred Vanderbilt?
Changing nationalities, especially in professional sports, isn’t unheard of. With specific reference to basketball, however, Jarred Vanderbilt may already have the framework in place if he commits to joining the Slovenian national team.
The Los Angeles Lakers have already witnessed a player successfully acquire a Slovenian passport, as Jaxson Hayes became eligible to join Luka Doncic on the Slovenian national team. Therefore, if Vanderbilt chooses a similar route, the outlook is certainly promising.
In the current environment, it is highly unlikely that Jarred Vanderbilt will represent the USA men’s national team in international competition. Barring the sheer depth of talent that serves as an obstacle, Vanderbilt’s role with the Lakers limits how much attention he commands.
Although the forward has established himself as a reliable defender capable of guarding multiple positions, Vanderbilt is quite limited offensively. With averages of 4.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.8 steals per game last season, the 27-year-old was not the most impactful player in the Lakers’ rotation. Still, his defensive upside and pre-existing chemistry with Luka Doncic could prove immensely valuable on Slovenia’s national team.
Currently, the Slovenian men’s team is competing for a spot in the group stages of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. With a 3-3 record, Slovenia is currently in the bottom half of Group L. But they still have a fair shot at progressing to the next round.
Luka Doncic’s absence is clearly affecting Slovenia’s performance, an aspect one of his Slovenian teammates recently pointed out. While Doncic’s return would undoubtedly transform the team, adding both Jaxson Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt as supporting pieces would also bolster their roster.