Goran Dragic, the NBA All-Star point guard who spent 15 seasons in the league, officially retired from professional basketball last December. However, fans will get one last chance to see him on the court as he prepares to play in a special farewell game in his native Slovenia. The event, set for August 24, will not only celebrate Dragic’s illustrious career but also raise money for his charity, the Goran Dragic Foundation.
The game, aptly named “The Night of the Dragon,” will be held at Stozice Arena in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital. Dragic will be joined by a star-studded lineup of current and former basketball greats, including Slovenian sensation Luka Doncic, who grew up idolizing Dragic. Other notable players set to participate include NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, legendary forward Dirk Nowitzki, Hall of Famer Steve Nash, sharpshooter Bogdan Bogdanovic, veteran forward Luis Scola, center Nikola Vucevic, and former NBA big man Rasho Nesterovic, according to a report by BasketNews.
Dragic’s career began in Slovenia, where he quickly made a name for himself, earning Rookie of the Year and All-Star honours before being selected in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft (45th overall) by the San Antonio Spurs. He was subsequently traded to the Phoenix Suns on draft night, where he spent the best years of his NBA career.
In the 2013-14 season, Dragic shined for the Suns, averaging 20.3 points and 5.9 assists per game, which earned him the NBA’s Most Improved Player award and a spot on the All-NBA Third Team. His success in Phoenix eventually led to a trade to the Miami Heat, where he spent seven seasons as a primary playmaker and offensive leader, especially in the post-LeBron James era. Dragic’s tenure in Miami included an All-Star selection in 2018 and a pivotal role in the Heat’s 2020 NBA Finals run, where he averaged 19.1 points and 4.4 assists per game in the playoffs.
Dragic’s farewell game will not only be a celebration of his career but also a gathering of some of the best talent from Europe and the NBA, making it a must-watch event for basketball fans around the world. Proceeds from the game will support the Goran Dragic Foundation, which focuses on providing opportunities for underprivileged youth in Slovenia.
As Dragic steps off the court for the final time, his impact on both Slovenian and international basketball will be celebrated by fans, peers, and the next generation of players who have looked up to him throughout his career.
Comments