In a powerful demonstration of heart and heritage, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić has donated $10 million to help combat poverty in three underdeveloped regions of Slovenia: Prekmurje, Zasavje, and Bela Krajina.
Dončić, who joined the Lakers in a blockbuster trade last season, announced the initiative through his new non-profit, the Dončić Foundation for Hope. The foundation will spearhead long-term development projects focused on education, housing, and health care.
“Slovenia is my home. No matter how far basketball takes me, I’ll never forget where I came from,” Dončić said at a press conference in Ljubljana. “This is more than charity—this is about giving back in a way that creates lasting change.”
Prekmurje, located in the northeast, will see new schools, technology hubs, and scholarship programs to uplift local youth and close the digital divide.
In Zasavje, a region hit hard by industrial decline, funds will go toward job retraining, micro-loans for small businesses, and youth mentorship initiatives.
Meanwhile, the foundation’s work in Bela Krajina will focus on rebuilding homes and expanding access to healthcare, especially for elderly and low-income residents.
Slovenian leaders and community members have praised Dončić’s move, with Prime Minister Nataša Pirc Musar calling it “a historic act of patriotism and compassion.”
Since his arrival in Los Angeles, Dončić has become not only a fan favorite for his on-court brilliance, but a global ambassador for humanitarian causes.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham added, “What Luka is doing off the court is as inspiring as what he does with a basketball. He’s showing the world what leadership truly means.”
The donation marks one of the largest philanthropic contributions by a European athlete in recent years, setting a powerful example for the next generation of sports stars.
Social media has erupted with support, with many Slovenes calling Dončić “the pride of a nation” and thanking him for investing in the future of the people.
As the Lakers prepare for the Western Conference Finals, Dončić’s impact is already being felt thousands of miles away—proof that heroes don’t just play games; they change lives.
