Jaxson Hayes Poised to Become Slovenia’s Center — Luka Dončić Connection
Hayes heading toward Slovenian citizenship
Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes is reportedly in the final stages of obtaining Slovenian citizenship. If everything goes through, he’ll be eligible to play for Slovenia’s national team and could add a new option at the center spot for upcoming international competitions.
Why this matters for Slovenia (and how Dončić fits in)
Slovenia has leaned on naturalized players at the center position in recent years, and Hayes would follow in that tradition after contributions from players like Josh Nebo and Anthony Randolph. There was earlier talk about Daniel Gafford filling that role, but those plans never materialized.
Hayes and Luka Dončić are teammates in Los Angeles, and that existing connection appears to have played a role in bringing Hayes into Slovenia’s plans. Adding a player with NBA experience who already has chemistry with Dončić could be a significant boost for the national team.
On the season with the Lakers, Hayes has been used as a backup center, averaging about 6.5 points and 4 rebounds in roughly 18 minutes across 37 games. His size and rim presence would give Slovenia another interior option to rotate alongside their current frontcourt.
Whether Hayes becomes a long-term fixture for Slovenia will depend on the finalization of his paperwork and how he fits into the team’s roster and strategy, but on paper this move looks like a promising fit for both the player and the national team.
