Luka Doncic, who played in both the Rising Stars and All-Star games this weekend, has another non-Mavericks event circled on his calendar for later this year. Asked about his potential participation for Slovenia in this June’s Olympics qualifying tournament, Doncic responded, “I’m gonna play for sure” (Twitter link via Donatas Urbonas).
The Mavericks star didn’t get the chance to suit up for his home country during the 2019 FIBA World Cup, since Slovenia wasn’t able to qualify for the event. This June’s tournament will represent the last chance the squad has to earn a spot in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Doncic and the Slovenians won’t have it easy — they’ll have to beat Lithuania and Poland, among others, in that qualifying tournament to secure one of four Olympic berths up for grabs this summer.
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- Former NBA guard Jordan Crawford is working out for German team Brose Bamberg, according to Ennio Terrasi Borghesan of Sportando. If the audition – which will take place within the next 10 days – goes well, Crawford will sign a rest-of-season deal with the German club, Borghesan adds.
- In a conversation with Ian Begley of SNY.tv, veteran NBA agent Todd Ramasar provided an interesting, behind-the-scenes look at his typical approach to the NBA trade deadline.
- The Canton Charge and Oklahoma City Blue completed a trade sending Tyler Cook to the Thunder‘s G League affiliate and Vince Edwards to Cleveland’s NBAGL team (Twitter link). Both players have some NBA experience, with Cook having spent time with the Cavaliers this season on a two-way deal, a standard contract, and a pair of 10-day pacts.
- ESPN’s Jonathan Givony examines a few of the notable prospects who took part in the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp during All-Star weekend in Chicago.
Doncic was benched in favor of Chris Paul when Team LeBron came back from a 9-point deficit in the fourth quarter of the All-Star game.
Doncic has played one game after coming back from his injury. I’m glad they limited his minutes.
Doncic is a bust.
trae young was also benched in 4th qtr
Was coming back from injury and in fairness Paul is a better defender and has come up clutch shooting 3’s in the past. He was on the floor to space and defend.
I thought Bron would take off Harden for Tatum to add more size, better defence and decent floor spacer. Then he and Paul could handle more
Slovenia is a beautiful country. My two favorite memories: picking wild raspberries while on a hike and doing my fantasy football team at 3 in the morning on the shores of Lake Bled.
Sign me up for that one. Can add the fresh raspberries and some fresh heavy sweet on top of fresh baked cakes.
With a large mug of nice stong coffee to wash it down.