Doncic: “Last year I let a nation down – I will always play for the national team”

Determined to… atone for her failure Slovenia at last year’s Eurobasket, where he was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Poland, said o Luka Doncic. The Mavericks superstar, at the same time, pledged that he will always be present for his national team, as long as he is not injured.

“I let my team down. I let down an entire country. It’s my fault. I will come back better. I will always wear the national team shirt if I am not injured“, he said in an interview with As, ahead of tonight’s friendly with Spain.

“It’s been a long summer for me, but I’m happy to be on the pitch. I hadn’t competed since April 10th. I look forward. The goal is the same as always. When I go to a tournament I only think about becoming champion! Things may turn out differently, but that will always be the goal“, added the 24-year-old ace.

As for the fact that he returned to the court this summer leaner and fitter than ever, he said:I feel better. You can see it. Credit goes to coach Matsek (also his personal trainer)».

Now he himself is the captain, after the departure of Goran Dragic. “It is a great honor. I feel proud. It was decided by my coach and teammates. It’s nothing new for me, as I lead the dressing room. As in the Mavericks. I don’t prepare separately for this. It’s not something you learn. If you got it… you got it. It is difficult to replace my predecessors, Dragic and Muric“, he said.

Doncic also emphasized that he is not thinking much about the NBA these days: “I don’t see this tournament as preparation for the NBA season. I enjoy the moments with the team and my friends in it. We understand each other. It is a great pleasure to play for the Slovenian national team. What’s going on here has nothing to do with the Mavericks. At the moment I am not thinking about Dallas at all, but I think that the necessary steps must be taken. Maybe we should add someone, maybe not».