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Luka Doncic: Winning gold would mean more than NBA title
Luka Doncic wants to win Olympic gold with Team Slovenia. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Mavericks star Luka Doncic: Winning gold with Slovenia would mean more than NBA title

By Erin Walsh  |  Last updated 7/4/21

Dallas Mavericks fans might want to look away. 

When asked to pick between an NBA title and a gold medal on Saturday, Mavericks star Luka Doncic went with the latter. However, he also said he wouldn't mind winning both. 

"I would say gold medal with Slovenia," Doncic said. "You play for your country, and that's something that really, really ... but I wouldn't mind both."

Doncic's Slovenia defeated Venezuela 98-70 in the semifinals of an Olympic qualifying tournament in Lithuania on Saturday and is now just one win away from earning a spot in this summer's Tokyo Olympics. 

The 22-year-old joined the Slovenian national team in June after the Los Angeles Clippers eliminated the Mavericks in the first round of the NBA playoffs. 

While he may want a gold medal, Doncic and the Slovenian national team face an uphill battle. Since gaining independence in 1991, Slovenia has never qualified for the Olympics. However, the team has been trending upward since Doncic took to the international stage. 

Even if Slovenia qualifies, the team will have to get through the likes of Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal to win Olympic gold.

Sure, Doncic is a superstar, but he alone won't be able to lift Slovenia to victory. 

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