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Goran Dragic Announces Retirement

Dec 30, 2023 10:34 AM

Goran Dragic has announced his retirement from basketball. Dragic will play a farewell game in Slovenia later this season and then will call it a career.

Over 15 NBA seasons, Dragic played in 946 regular season games. He appeared in an additional 62 playoff games, over seven different postseason runs.

Dragic retires holding career averages of 13.3 points and 4.7 assists per game. He finished as a 45.9% shooter overall, including 36.2% on three-pointers.

Dragic began his NBA career with the Phoenix Suns in the 2008-09 season. In addition to two separate stints with the Suns, Dragic also played for the Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks.

The 6-foot-3 has also played for his native Slovenia over several different international competitions. In 2017, Dragic helped lead Slovenia to the EuroBasket title. He scored 35 points in the victory over Serbia in the final game.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Goran Dragic, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Slovenia, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, International, National, National Misc Rumor, International Misc Rumor, National Teams

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FIBA World Cup All-Tournament Team Features Only NBA Players For First Time

Sep 10, 2023 5:04 PM

The 2023 FIBA World Cup All-Tournament Team was named following the completion of the competition. For the first time, the All-Tournament team featured NBA players in all five spots.

Dennis Schroder - Germany (also named MVP of the World Cup)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Canada

Anthony Edwards - United States

Bogdan Bogdanovic - Serbia

Luka Doncic - Slovenia

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Dennis Schroder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Luka Doncic, United States, Slovenia, Canada, Germany, Serbia, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, National, National World Championships, National Teams

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Luka Doncic Says Leg Injury Is 'Not Okay' But Will Keep Playing

Sep 9, 2023 9:15 AM

Luka Doncic admitted he's still dealing with a leg injury that he suffered shortly after the 2023 NBA All-Star Break. But Doncic said the injury won't keep him from playing, or from being ready for the upcoming Dallas Mavericks season.

"I do not know what to say," Doncic said about the injury. "It's not okay. At the same time, I have to prepare for one more game, and then for a whole season in the NBA."

Doncic went on to say he's healthy enough to play, or he would be sitting out. The Mavs and Slovenian star also said he's not playing because of pressure from FIBA, but because he loves representing his country.

"There is also one of the questions, but I play for Slovenia, not for FIBA," Doncic said. "I play no matter what, even in the Olympic qualifiers, if only I'm healthy."

Doncic also owned the criticism of Slovenia falling short of expectations, but that it hasn't changed his desire to represent his country.

"There is a lot of criticism every day, but I have learned to live with it. I don't think I'm the best in the world, though," Doncic said. "I simply love playing for Slovenia and will continue to do so."

Grant Afseth/Dallas Basketball

Tags: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Slovenia, NBA, NBA Injury, National, National World Championships, National Teams

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Canada Advances To Semifinals With 100-89 Win Over Slovenia; Luka Doncic Ejected

Sep 6, 2023 11:35 AM

Canada defeated Slovenia 100-89 to advance to the semifinals of the FIBA World Cup.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points, RJ Barrett added 24.

Canada will play Serbia for a trip to the final.

Luka Doncic had 26 points for Slovenia, but was ejected with 6:37 remaining in the game. Slovenia was down by 15 at the time. Slovenia still has a chance at the Olympics, but will have to win a qualifying tournament next July.

ESPN

Tags: Slovenia, Canada, NBA, National, National Teams

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Luka Doncic Taking Better Care Of His Body; In A Lot Better Shape

Sep 5, 2023 9:02 AM

Luka Doncic is putting together a big run at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Teammate Mike Tobey said that's no surprise, given Doncic's new commitment to being in shape.

“I’d say I feel he’s a little bit more rested. He looks fresh and in shape, he’s really taking care of his body and himself a lot more seriously this summer. You can tell it by his nutrition, by how he looks, he’s in a lot better shape," Tobey said. "I really see a big step forward in that part of his professionalism. He seems to be more focused. It seems both. I’ve said it before with friends and family. I can’t imagine what it’s like to have that kind of fame, constantly everybody asking you questions.”

After the Dallas Mavericks missed the NBA postseason, Doncic reportedly took the opportunity to rest and recover in his native Slovenia. He also took the time to work on his body and his conditioning, and the results have been positive in the World Cup.

EuroHoops.Net

Tags: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Slovenia, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, National, National World Championships, National Teams

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Luka Doncic Will Play For Slovenia Whenever He's Able

Aug 26, 2023 4:58 PM

Luka Doncic and Slovenia got off to a 1-0 start at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Doncic led Slovenia to a 100-85 victory over Venezuela in their Group F opener.

Following the game, Doncic made it clear he'll represent his country whenever he's able to do so. He said missing the playoffs with the Dallas Mavericks last season didn't influence him on playing in the World Cup this summer.

“Every time I can play for the national team, I will play," Doncic said. "Representing your country, you are always motivated, no matter what happens in the season. Obviously, it was disappointing that we could not make the Playoffs, but playing for your country is special. It is from the heart. And representing your country, it is amazing.”

Johnny Askounis/EuroHoops.Net

Tags: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Slovenia, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, National, National World Championships, National Teams

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Goran Dragic Undecided About Playing In World Cup

Apr 12, 2023 9:23 AM

Goran Dragic recognizes that his NBA career is winding down. He's been with both the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks this season, as he chases a championship ring.

Dragic also said he's undecided if he'll play for Slovenia in this summer's FIBA World Cup. Dragic played in last summer's EuroBasket with Slovenia and Luka Doncic.

“This is a different tournament because there are teams that you haven’t played before, such as the African and Asian teams," Dragic said. "But then everything is always the same, there are the United States, Australia, and other Europeans… It’s a tough tournament, we’ll see. I don’t know if I’m going to the World Cup yet. We’ll see what happens over time."

Dragic also said he'd like to see a tournament where top European clubs compete with NBA teams. He believes the best teams in Europe could compete with NBA teams in a tournament setting, while acknowledging that the NBA schedule is "brutal" compared to those of European leagues.

Toni Canyameras/Mundo Deportivo

Tags: Goran Dragic, Slovenia, International, International Misc Rumor, National Teams

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