By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
At 31 years of age, Goran Dragic led the Slovenian national team to a wondrous, historical accomplishment: A first-time EuroBasket title for a country of just 2 million people.
For the Miami Heat guard, this is truly the biggest achievement in his career so far.
“Definitely it is,” he said to Greek National Television. “I’m still waiting for that NBA ring but this (EuroBasket gold) is something else. This is for my country. My country gave me everything. I was born and raised there. I’m glad I can give something back to the Slovenian people. You see how the gym was full of them. I want to thank them from my heart.”
Dragic had a monumental match: 35 points (a single-game record for the Slovenian national team). 24 of his points came in the first half, 20 in just the second period. Is this the best performance of his career so far? “Yeah definitely. It was in the Final. But it wasn’t about my performance. It was about the team. My teammates help me. And my coaches. All the great plays come from the coaches.”
“We always dreamed to be on the podium, simply to finish in the top 3. This was my last chance because I’ll probably retire after this. This month has been simply great. Unbelievable,” he added.
Regarding his problem in the final quarter, he said: “I had cramps during the second half. I had a full confidence in my teammates. Prepelic came big. Blazic came big. We know how to play as a team. I wasn’t scared. Nervous perhaps.”
When he noticed Luka Doncic near him, he began raving about him and predicting… omens of magnificence for the 18-year-old’s future.
“He’s going to be the best player in Europe in a couple of years. In NBA too! He’s a born winner. I’m not kidding. Mark my words he’s going to be one of the best in the whole world.”
Here’s some more “Dragon” following the EuroBasket Final
(Photo credit: FIBA.basketball)