Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt has indicated he is considering obtaining a Slovenian passport after a recent four-day minicamp in the country, hosted by teammate Luka Doncic. The trip, which included workouts, pick-up games, golfing, and exploring Ljubljana, left a significant impression on Vanderbilt.
"The trip was great," Vanderbilt stated. "Not gonna lie, didn’t know much about [Slovenia] before I came here, but it’s definitely a spot I will revisit. I’m looking to get Slovenian passport. We’ll see. Might be part Slovenian."
The minicamp provided an opportunity for the new-look Lakers to build rapport both on and off the court. The team aims to foster chemistry as they prepare for the upcoming season.
This overseas trip occurred as the franchise underwent a significant ownership change, with Mark Walter selling the team for $12.5 billion to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner. The Lakers are relying on Doncic to lead the team, a role that his leadership during the Slovenia minicamp suggests he is ready to embrace as training camp approaches next month.