Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes confirmed on Monday, April 20, 2026, that he has officially received his Slovenian passport. The naturalization allows Hayes to represent the Slovenian national team internationally alongside his teammate Luka Doncic, starting as early as the upcoming July fixtures.
The pursuit of Slovenian citizenship began in October 2025 through a collaboration between Hayes, Doncic, and their shared agent, Bill Duffy of WME Sports. According to Heavy.com, the move secures Slovenia’s single permitted spot for a naturalized player on their roster ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“We got my Slovenian passport,” said Jaxson Hayes, Lakers Center. “It really came through. Luka’s been calling me ‘my Slovenian brother.’ He says it all the time.”
Despite his new eligibility, Hayes admitted to reporters that he currently lacks fluency in the Slovenian language. He noted that the limited vocabulary he has acquired so far consists primarily of phrases unsuitable for public settings.
“I don’t know a single word,” said Jaxson Hayes, Lakers Center. “Actually I know a few, but I can’t say them out loud.”
Hayes previously expressed frustration with the recruitment process for USA Basketball, describing it as an exclusive system without open tryouts. He indicated that securing a role with Slovenia was a strategic choice to ensure he could compete on the global stage.
“USA doesn’t do open tryouts,” said Jaxson Hayes, Lakers Center. “And I feel like there are guys they invite to the USA [training camp] that shouldn’t be there. So, I wanted to just play on that stage … I’m going to do whatever it takes to play on that stage.”
Lakers head coach JJ Redick voiced his support for the center’s international transition during the early stages of the application process. Redick highlighted the potential benefits of the two teammates building chemistry within the international style of play.
“The international game is very different. And I think for him, if it ends up happening, getting that connection and chemistry with Luka would be awesome,” said JJ Redick, Lakers Head Coach.
While Hayes prepares for his future with Slovenia, the Lakers are currently managing a depleted roster in their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets. Forward Rui Hachimura has seen an increased role with Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined by injuries.
Hachimura recently set a Lakers franchise record by shooting 44.3% from 3-point range during the 2025-26 season. He emphasized that team unity was vital in overcoming the challenges of a long regular season and the current injury wave.
“I think it was chemistry,” said Rui Hachimura, Lakers Forward. “I talked a lot about chemistry, and how important, especially in basketball, but in team sports, we all need each other. I think to get through this season, especially 82 games is really long, a lot of things happening, injuries, different lineups, trades, everything. So, I think that this year we had good chemistry to fight through 82 games.”
The Lakers forward also acknowledged the physical toll of the postseason. He noted that the intensity of the matchup against Houston requires immediate mental and physical readiness.
“I know the playoffs is a totally different game. Every year I’ve learned that after the first game of the playoffs, the next day is really sore because of how physical we get,” said Rui Hachimura, Lakers Forward. “Especially playing Houston, Houston’s a very physical team, an athletic team, so we got to be ready for that. But I think having Marcus [Smart] back, he helps, and we’re going to be ready for them.”
Hachimura noted that the coaching staff has instructed him to be more assertive offensively to compensate for the missing starters. He has been focused on his perimeter shooting throughout the year to meet these expectations.
“Especially with Luka and Austin out, we need more shooting with this team. I got to be more aggressive on both ends, but especially on offense,” said Rui Hachimura, Lakers Forward. “I talked to the coaches, and everybody wants me to be aggressive on that side. Of course I have to do other jobs too. With Austin and Luka out, it’s going to be a little different.”
The 28-year-old veteran added that his confidence in his long-range shooting has grown since joining the Lakers. He credited the coaching staff for emphasizing the importance of his role as a floor spacer.
“I think with me, and since I got here especially with the Lakers, I’ve been working on that, the 3-pointer. And every year I think my confidence and everything is going up,” said Rui Hachimura, Lakers Forward. “But this year especially before the season, I talked to JJ and the coaching staff, how important it is for me to shoot those threes. This year I was focused on that a lot.”
