Klemen Prepelic bashes Slovenian public for fixating on Luka Doncic / News - Basketnews.com

Prepelic demanded more respect for the players who come to play in FIBA windows and revealed that some of the guys were even thinking of not coming because of the reaction they received from the Slovenian public.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

The Slovenian national team earned two wins in the EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers window last week. After the second game, Klemen Prepelic was particularly honest about the treatment the players received during the competition.

Klemen Prepelic

Team:Galatasaray EKMASPosition:PG, SGAge:31Height:191 cmWeight:75 kgBirth place:Maribor, SloveniaProfileNewsStatistics

Slovenia comfortably beat Ukraine on Thursday, February 22nd, and overcame Israel on Sunday, February 25th. After the game against Israel, Prepelic said the players who showed up for the FIBA window should get much more respect than they are currently getting and the public shouldn't be fixated on Luka Doncic so much.

"It is always emphasized who is not here and why they are not here. Again and again only Luka, Luka... We all realize that there is no chance at the top level without Doncic. I will make an exception, but I notice and receive information that they are always spitting on these boys who always come to the national team. Without these boys, Slovenia would not have seen Luka in major competitions and in the Slovenian jersey," Prepelic told RTV Slovenija.

"These 11 or 12 guys who are always here perhaps deserve a little more respect from our audience. I always say that our fans are the best in the world. But I'm simply tired of some guys being spat on again and again," Prepelic said. "Honestly, many people are thinking that they should not come to the national team again. Everyone is important for these things that are happening in Slovenian basketball."

Prepelic led the team both in scoring and efficiency, averaging 25.5 points, 3 rebounds, and 8 assists for 24.5 PIR in the two Qualifiers games. Meanwhile, Mike Tobey averaged a double-double of 15.5 points and 10.5 rebounds for 23 PIR.

With the next two EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers windows scheduled for next November and February, Luka Doncic is set to miss out on playing for the national team in the EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers.

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