Luka Doncic recently claimed that Slovenian players Vlatko Cancar and Josh Nebo were prevented from representing their national team by their club, Olimpia Milano.
According to Grant Afseth of the Dallas Hoops Journal, Doncic said, “As far as I understand, the club didn’t allow them to come,” adding, “In the end, the Lakers allowed it, Milan didn’t. I’d rather not get involved in it, but that should be the player’s decision. In my opinion. Those two are not at fault.”
Doncic’s comments suggested that the players themselves were not to blame for missing national duty, but rather that the club exercised its authority to block their participation.
However, this version of events was challenged by Olimpia Milano’s general manager Christos Stavropoulos, who issued an official statement in response, as reported by Aris Barkas of Eurohoops.
Stavropoulos clarified the club’s position: “Regarding some recent media reports, I would like to clarify on behalf of the club that the health of our players has always been and always will be our priority.”
He further explained the specific circumstances surrounding Cancar and Nebo: “In the specific cases of Vlatko Cancar and Josh Nebo, I need to point out that both players are recovering from very serious injuries that severely limited their availability during the last season.”
To protect the players’ well-being and future performance, the club and players agreed to a careful process for their return.
“In agreement with them, a procedure for their gradual return to action will be implemented to safeguard principally their health and long-term competitiveness.”
International Notes: Theis, EuroBasket Favorites, Doncic, Cancar, Nebo https://t.co/OONMupQAxK pic.twitter.com/0m7fbzzNdS
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) August 12, 2025
