Lakers star Luka Doncic enters custody battle over his two daughters
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has separated from his fiancée and entered a legal custody battle over their two young daughters.
The 27-year-old Slovenian confirmed the split from long-term partner Anamaria Goltes in a statement, citing difficulties in bringing his family to the United States during the basketball season.
“I love my daughters more than anything and I’ve been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the U.S. during the season, but that hasn’t been possible, so I recently made the tough decision to end my engagement,” Doncic said.
“Everything I do is for my daughters’ happiness and I will always fight to be with them and give them the best life I can.”
Legal proceedings begin in California
Goltes recently filed a petition in California seeking child support and attorney fees, a legal move the former Dallas Mavericks guard was reportedly unaware of.
Sources indicate the Los Angeles playmaker has consistently provided for his family financially since signing a three-year, $165m contract extension in August.
In response to the escalating situation, the basketball superstar filed an interim injunction with Slovenian courts on 26 February to establish immediate contact with his children.
He has reportedly not seen his daughters, Gabriela and Olivia, since a tense overseas visit late last year.
Police called during maternity ward visit
The couple welcomed their second child in Slovenia during December, prompting the player to miss consecutive games against the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics to travel back to Europe.
A dispute ensued at Kranj Maternity Hospital when the high-scoring guard expressed a desire to bring his eldest daughter back to America.
Police were called to the medical facility by Goltes, but responding officers later confirmed that no criminal offenses or misdemeanors had taken place.
Following the incident, the player left peacefully and flew back to the United States on the same day.
“I was there for the birth of my daughter, so that means everything to me, but it was definitely a roller coaster,” he remarked upon returning to his team.
Speculation regarding the couple’s relationship status had intensified in recent weeks after all photographs of the pair were deleted from Goltes’ social media accounts.