March 2023 International Wiretap

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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Nikola Topic Will Play For Red Star For Remainder Of Season

Dec 28, 2023 11:25 AM

Nikola Topic had his loan to Mega MIS ended prematurely as he's been called back to Red Star for the remainder of the season. Topic is currently ranked No. 6 by ESPN in their 2024 draft rankings.

"My dream for many years has been to play for Red Star," Topic told ESPN. "I grew up a fan of this club. It will mean everything for me to play in front of 20,000 Red Star fans. I couldn't say no to playing basketball in the EuroLeague.
 
"It's a huge risk, but I'm ready. I'm confident in myself 100%. My father, my agent Misko Raznatovic and I understand that this move could affect my draft chances if I don't do well. But I'm ready to compete and fight."
 
No teenager in Adriatic League history has posted the type of numbers (18.6 points, 6.9 assists, 63% true shooting percentage) Topic has this season.

Jonathan Givony, Jeremy Woo/ESPN

Tags: Nikola Topic, KK Crvena Zvezda, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, International, NBA Draft General, International Teams

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DeMarcus Cousins Signs In Taiwan

Dec 18, 2023 8:38 AM

NBA veteran DeMarcus Cousins has signed in Taiwan for this season. Cousins has signed with Taiwan Beer Leopards, according to a press release from the team. The 33-year-old center is expected to debut on January 20.

Cousins last played in the NBA in 2021-22, when he split the season between the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets. The four-time All-Star then spent part of last season playing in Puerto Rico. In 27 games with Mets de Guaynabo, Cousins averaged 19 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: DeMarcus Cousins, International, International Official Signing

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