The Los Angeles Lakers gave Slovenian fans an unforgettable sight on Friday evening as Luka Dončić and his teammates took a boat ride along the Ljubljanica River in the heart of Ljubljana. The NBA stars appeared on the river shortly before 7 p.m., waving to hundreds of fans who had gathered along the waterfront despite the rain. The boat ride was one of the highlights of the Lakers’ second day in Slovenia, where Dončić is hosting his teammates for a four day team bonding trip ahead of the new NBA season.
The Lakers had already attracted huge attention earlier in the day when the players trained at Stožice Arena, where young fans waited for autographs and photographs with the stars. Dončić was greeted with chants of “MVP!” before taking his teammates to Ljubljana Castle for lunch. Later, the group headed toward the city center, with supporters gathering around the Ljubljanica and Tromostovje in anticipation of seeing the team. Their patience paid off when the Lakers appeared on the boat in the early evening, waving to fans and enjoying the unusual sightseeing experience.
Videos and photographs quickly spread across social media, giving international fans a glimpse of the Lakers exploring Ljubljana. The visit has also created major attention for Slovenia, with one of the world’s most recognizable basketball teams experiencing the country through Dončić. Several players have already praised their time there, with Jaden Hardy describing Slovenia as “incredible” and Collin Sexton saying the team was having a great time. Players including Bronny James, Ziaire Williams, Jake LaRavia and Adou Thiero also stopped to sign autographs and take pictures with young supporters at Stožice.
After the boat ride, the Lakers continued their evening with dinner at a restaurant in central Ljubljana before heading to a nightclub. The team is expected to remain in Slovenia until August 24, with Dončić planning additional activities including golf and fishing around Lake Bled. While the trip is designed to strengthen relationships within the team before the new NBA season, it has already become a major spectacle in Ljubljana. From Stožice to Ljubljana Castle and the Ljubljanica, Dončić and his Lakers teammates have turned their Slovenian visit into an unforgettable summer event.
