Overview
- Hayes, who confirmed the news Monday after Lakers practice, said he received a Slovenian passport that makes him eligible for Slovenia.
- FIBA rules allow each national team only one naturalized player, a slot Slovenia can now fill with Hayes.
- Slovenia leads Group H at 3-1 in the 2027 World Cup European Qualifiers, with July games set at Estonia and then at home against Sweden as the first chance to add him.
- The Lakers’ focus stays on the playoffs, as Doncic has been ruled out for Tuesday’s Game 2 against the Rockets with a left hamstring strain after treatment in Spain.
- The naturalization push began in October through the players’ shared agent, Bill Duffy of WME Sports, following talks about a possible fit with Slovenia.