Lakers-Slovenia Connection Gets New Layer at EuroBasket

As Luka Doncic continues torching opponents in EuroBasket, one of JJ Redick’s assistants has detailed the Lakers’ growing relationship with the Slovenian national team. In addition to evaluating Doncic’s progress, Greg St. Jean has reportedly talked strategy with Slovenia’s head coach, Aleksander Sekulic.

Lakers-Slovenia Connection Gets New Layer at EuroBasket

Greg St. Jean: Slovenia Has Used Lakers Tactics in Tournament

In a Sept. 1 interview with BasketNews, St. Jean—who is also on Slovenia’s staff for EuroBasket—said he’s spoken to Sekulic about how to maximize Doncic with the Lakers. Their discussions have led to the two teams swapping strategies.

“Coach Sekulic is a fantastic coach, and obviously, he has a great system and has had a lot of success here with the national team. He’s coached Luka and known him for a long time. We had a relationship prior, in 2022, so we’ve talked a little bit about some different ways to utilize Luka. … And we’ve tried to all come together and put our basketball brains together to try to set our team up for success. And we’ve used a few things from the Lakers. Obviously, there’s been some stuff that we’ve used from his [Sekulic’s] book. It’s been a great partnership.”

The Lakers’ top assistant added that he’s taken notes on other EuroBasket competitors, hoping to bring part of their playbooks back to LA.

“Obviously, Luka is someone who’s growing and evolving. He’s getting better every single day. But there are things that we see in the tournament, whether it’s an opponent doing it or we’re doing it, that I’ll sit there and I’ll take my notes and say, ‘Hey, that’s something that would be great for us to try with the Lakers. Or that’s something I haven’t seen in the NBA.’ There’s a lot of really good players and really good coaches over here. So, I’m just trying to learn as much as possible.”