Los Angeles Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes isn’t just looking to catch lobs from Luka Doncic in the purple and gold. He is taking their partnership to the international stage. Following a recent practice, Hayes confirmed he has finalized the process of acquiring his Slovenian passport. This move paves the way for the 25-year-old center to suit up alongside Doncic for the Slovenian men’s national basketball team in upcoming FIBA competitions.
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes gets his Slovenian passport below to team up internationally in the future with Luka Dončić. https://t.co/BATCxRR8XJ
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 16, 2026
The naturalization process has been in the works for quite some time, spearheaded by the duo’s shared representation under agent Bill Duffy. With USA Basketball operating on an “invite-only” basis that left Hayes feeling overlooked, the former lottery pick aggressively sought out another path to compete globally. Now, he is set to become Slovenia’s latest naturalized player, answering the federation’s call for a long-term, athletic presence in the frontcourt.
Hayes and Doncic have been building vital chemistry in Los Angeles since Doncic’s blockbuster trade, and this passport guarantees their on-court connection will extend far beyond the NBA schedule. “Luka’s been calling me his Slovenian brother every time,” Hayes joked with reporters, noting that Doncic has been a driving force behind the idea.
The late addition of Hayes is a huge boon for Slovenia as they gear up for the important FIBA World Cup 2027 European qualification windows. Hayes joked that he still doesn’t speak Slovenian, but his elite vertical spacing and rim-running should translate well to the international game, especially with a legendary playmaker feeding him the ball.
For Lakers fans, that international partnership is an exciting bonus. Building chemistry in high-stakes FIBA tournaments often translates to improved NBA success, and the Hayes-Doncic tandem now has a unique opportunity to hone their two-man game year-round. They are teammates in Los Angeles, and now, they are brothers representing Slovenia. No matter what future offseasons may bring, this pick-and-roll connection is cemented.
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