Croatia - Happy Birthday, Drazen Petrovic!
Drazen Petrovic was born 44 years ago, while 15 years have passed since he left us, dying in a car accident. Drazen Petrovic was born on this day, the most prominent Croatian basketball player of the 20 th century. He would have been celebrating his 44 th birthday today, even the number he wore on his back in Portland at the start of his career was 44. 15 years have gone by from the moment we were left short of sports and human greatness of the Croatian Mozart. A leader, role model and an example for today`s basketball juniors all over the world, not only in Croatia – this was Drazen.
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Drazen Petrovic was born 44 years ago, while 15 years have passed since he left us, dying in a car accident.
Drazen Petrovic was born on this day, the most prominent Croatian basketball player of the 20 th century. He would have been celebrating his 44 th birthday today, even the number he wore on his back in Portland at the start of his career was 44. 15 years have gone by from the moment we were left short of sports and human greatness of the Croatian Mozart.
A leader, role model and an example for today`s basketball juniors all over the world, not only in Croatia – this was Drazen.
After games and practices, Drazen`s team mates stayed to watch him play because he motivated them, delighted them with his efforts, hard work, persistence and undisputed basketball skills.
He turned basketball into an art form, giving magic to always-crowded sports halls. The good old times.
He won everything that could have been won in his career and his mother has presented all won medals and trophies at his Zagreb museum. Even the square the museum is on was given Drazen`s name. He has absolutely deserved it.
Drazen began his career in Sibenka and continued it in Zagreb-based Cibona. Via Real Madrid, he ventured into unknown territory. He was not suitable for Portland and played for the New Jersey Nets after an exchange. At first, he was unlucky, because the likes of great players Drexler and Porter were before him on the West Coast. He played a huge part in the struggle for independence.
He blossomed in the Nets, even made it to the third five of the NBA league and was most precise when it came to three points. At the end of the season, he wanted to return to Europe, but fate would not have it. He scored his last points against Slovenia in Wroclaw, from the free throw line. He died returning from that tournament.
Croatia has always appreciated him and was proud with his promotion of the country in the best of lights. He was an extraordinary man and an athlete any country covets.
Zagreb will honour the late basketball legend in his Museum-Memorial Centre tonight.
Life flies by, captain!