SLO – Slovenia optimistic Dragic will be in Turkey

LJUBLJANA (2010 FIBA World Championship) – Slovenia coach Memi Becirovic is very hopeful of having Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic in the side this summer at the FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

The Slovenian Basketball Federation has been in touch with Phoenix, and Becirovic said: “Phoenix’s assistant general manager David Griffin said that Dragic has a great desire to wear the green and white jersey this summer.

“He will have a medical examination in early July and if he passes it, there will be no obstacles for him joining the national team.”

Dragic, who was arguably Slovenia’s best player in Group C at the EuroBasket last year before being sidelined through injury, had a sensational second season with Phoenix and helped them reach the NBA’s Western Conference Finals.

The 24-year-old had eight points and eight assists in 18 minutes off the bench in the Suns’ Game 4 win that knotted the series at 2-2. The Los Angeles Lakers eventually won that tie and advanced to the NBA Finals.

Before that, in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, Dragic exploded for 26 points in just 17 minutes.

The point guard buried all five of his shots from long range in that game.

The Suns eventually swept the Spurs, 4-0.

Slovenia say they have also been in contact with a couple of their Italy-based players, Uros Slokar and Becirovic’s son, Sani.

Both look set to join the national team squad.

Slovenia will take on Team USA, Brazil, Croatia, Iran and Tunisia in Group B this summer.

A huge contingent of Slovenian fans are expected to travel to Istanbul, just as they did last year when they went to Poland and helped the national side reach the Semi-Finals of the EuroBasket.

FIBA