When Donnie Nelson helped bring Luka Dončić to the NBA back in 2018, few could have predicted their paths would cross again. Years after parting ways with the Dallas Mavericks, Nelson is reuniting with the Slovenian superstar as a special adviser to Slovenia’s national team.
The reunion is expected to add firepower to Slovenia’s EuroBasket 2025 campaign, which begins on Aug. 27.
Donnie Nelson Joins Slovenia as Special Adviser for EuroBasket 2025
Dončić has a rich history with Slovenia’s national basketball team. He helped them win EuroBasket gold in 2017, win bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, and compete in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. He has now received another assignment to represent Slovenia at EuroBasket 2025.
Before the campaign begins, Dončić has reunited with a familiar face. Nelson has officially joined Slovenia’s national team as a special advisor. The reunion comes nearly seven years after the two last worked together in Dallas. It carries special meaning since the former Mavericks general manager drafted Dončić in 2018.
NBA insider Marc Stein shared the news on July 4, tweeting, “Former Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson has been named as a special adviser to Slovenia’s national team … reuniting him with Luka Dončić. Nelson has a long history in the international game working with Lithuania’s national team.”
Former Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson has been named as a special adviser to Slovenia’s national team … reuniting him with Luka Dončić.
Nelson has a long history in the international game working with Lithuania’s national team. https://t.co/VRv9cMe1cw
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 4, 2025
In EuroBasket 2025, they will compete in Group D alongside France, Poland, Belgium, Iceland, and Israel. Group stage starts on Aug. 27 in Katowice, Poland, with knockout rounds to follow in Riga, Latvia.
Nelson Brings Decades of NBA and International Experience
Nelson brings valuable international and NBA experience to Slovenia. He spent 24 years with the Mavericks and served as general manager from 2005 to 2021. During that time, he was instrumental in developing the franchise’s European scouting strategy and played a key role in building the team around the Slovenian superstar.
His international basketball background extends beyond his NBA work. Nelson has extensive experience working with Lithuania’s national team, giving him deep knowledge of European basketball systems and player development.
Now, he is ready for a new journey with Slovenia. In a statement, he said, “Becoming a part of Slovenian basketball is a great honor for me… Watching Luka lead the team to a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics made me excited about the potential. I hope to be part of the journey to Los Angeles 2028.”
Slovenia is now aiming to win a medal and make a deep run in the upcoming EuroBasket campaign. Dončić will once again play the anchor role for his country, as he is in good form after averaging 28.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game last season. The combination of his elite play and Nelson’s strategic expertise could prove crucial for Slovenia’s championship aspirations.
The reunion represents a full-circle moment for both men. Nelson’s decision to draft Dončić transformed the Mavericks franchise, and now they have another opportunity to work together on the international stage. With EuroBasket 2025 approaching, Slovenia enters the tournament with renewed confidence and a proven partnership leading the way.
