The final chapter in Slovenian star Goran Dragic’s playing career takes place this weekend in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Luka Doncic’s fellow countryman will celebrate his storied career back in his hometown, with charity being a central feature to the festivities.
All of this culminates in the I Feel Slovenia Night of the Dragon basketball game on Saturday — a game that can be watched through the NBA app in the US, at 1 PM CT on August 24.
It is sure to be a fun star-studded affair for Dragic, friends and former teammates, with several Dallas Mavericks legends taking part in Doncic, Dirk Nowitzki, and Steve Nash being joined by Nikola Jokic.
A remarkable career deserves a grand finale, where charity takes center stage rather than being an afterthought but the central theme. Surrounded by Goran’s friends and mentors who have accompanied him on his journey from the blacktops of Ljubljana to the All-Star Game and the NBA Finals, the festivities will kick off with a charity pre-event on Friday, August 23rd, and culminate in an unforgettable basketball extravaganza on Saturday, August 24th, 2024.
The even begins today, Friday, August 23, with both a panel discussion and gala dinner this evening. But tomorrow’s game at Stožice Arena will be the featured celebration. On top of the NBA MVP’s (and future NBA MVP Doncic) listed above is a wide ranging cast of players from around the globe, former teammates of Dragic from his NBA career and his time playing in the Slovenian and Spanish leagues.
This will be a particularly special event for Dragic and Doncic, who share close ties back to childhood. Dragic considers Sasa Doncic, Luka’s father, his mentor and has known Luka since he was a baby. The two, separated by nearly 13 years, then eventually played alongside each other in EuroBasket 2017 where they came away with the Gold Medal. They also competed in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, coming up just short of medaling.
“The most amazing journey I had with him was the EuroBasketball medal,” Doncic recounted last December, when news of Dragic’s retirement from the NBA became official. “It was an amazing run for him. And I’m just glad I know him. I’m glad I played with him. And I learned actually about leadership in that tournament. He taught me a lot.”
Tune in tomorrow, August 24, 1 PM CT on the NBA App to catch Dragic and Doncic, and several of our other past favorites, celebrate the storied career of the Slovenian legend.
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