SLO/ESP - Zoran Dragic in fine fettle

ZIELONA GORA (Euroleague) - One of the standout players for Slovenia at this summer's EuroBasket was Zoran Dragic.

In every game, the 24-year-old played at a breakneck pace and with plenty of aggression.

Dragic's forte going into the EuroBasket was supposed to be his defense, but he also showed plenty of skill in attack and ended up averaging 10.6 points in 23.5 minutes per game.

He was second in scoring on the team to his brother, Goran, an All-Tournament selection and starting point guard of the Phoenix Suns.

The play of the Dragic brothers was crucial as Slovenia finished fifth and qualified for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Dragic has been moving from strength to strength since the end of the EuroBasket with Unicaja Malaga, both in the Liga Endesa and the Turkish Airlines Euroleague.

His efforts in Malaga have helped the club climb to third in the standings in the Spanish league and on Thursday night at Stelmet Zielona Gora in Poland, Dragic's 21 points - his highest tally of the season in the Euroleague - along with seven rebounds, three assists and a steal were pivotal as Unicaja won a vital road game, 84-67.

Dragic has hit double digits in points in five of his seven Euroleague games.

The triumph has left Unicaja in a stronger position to advance to the Top 16 because with three games remaining in the regular season. They are in fourth place with a 3-4 record in Group C.

Stelmet Zielona Gora are fifth at 2-5, and Montepashi Siena are sixth with just a single victory.

The top four sides from each group advance to the Top 16.

Unicaja have swept the Polish outfit in two games so would therefore win a potential tie-breaker if they finish with the same record.

FIBA