Kevon Looney came away impressed by Luka Doncic’s leadership after the Lakers guard hosted his teammates for a five-day minicamp in Slovenia ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Speaking on ESPN Radio’s “Mason & Ireland” podcast, Looney said the trip was unlike anything he had experienced during his NBA career, particularly because Doncic brought the team to his home country and spent significant time introducing teammates to his background.
“Man, I’ve been in the league for a while, and that [trip to Slovenia] was my first time doing something like that. Going to somebody’s country, and bringing us out there, and spending that much time together. I never did that before,” Looney said, via New York Post.
Doncic hosted the Lakers in Ljubljana from Aug. 20-24, with 16 of the team’s 17 non-Doncic players attending. Rookie Cameron Carr was the only player who did not make the trip because he remained in the United States for mandatory NBA rookie orientation.
The itinerary included a team dinner, a two-hour practice at Stozice Arena, golf, fishing at Lake Bled, sightseeing and a visit to the basketball courts where Doncic grew up playing. Doncic also chartered a private plane for the group, while gift bags were waiting for the players at their hotel.
For Looney, the experience offered an opportunity to understand the 27-year-old star beyond his production on the court.
“That just shows his character, shows that he really wants to win. He wants the people to know his background and why he is how he is. And I think he did a good job of that,” Looney said.
Doncic enters his second full season with the Lakers as the clear centerpiece of a roster that underwent major changes following LeBron James’ departure. He averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists in 64 games during the 2025-26 regular season, shooting 47.6% from the field and 36.6% from three-point range.
Those numbers earned Doncic fourth place in MVP voting, a spot on the All-NBA First Team and an All-Star selection. He also led the Lakers to a 53-29 record, although their season ended with a four-game sweep by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.
The Lakers responded by reshaping the roster around Doncic and Austin Reaves. Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 51 games, while the team acquired Walker Kessler, re-signed Reaves to a four-year, $180 million contract and added Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton.
Looney, who signed a one-year, $3.9 million deal with Los Angeles, will also be part of the new-look group. The veteran center spent his first 10 NBA seasons with Golden State before joining the Lakers.
“He’s a great player and a great leader. He likes to show what he can do on the court, and then we got to see his personality off the court. So it was great. We’re going to follow him and run through a wall for him,” Looney concluded.
