Bojan Bogdanovic’s first game after his surgery in late April will not be with the Brooklyn Nets, but will instead be dedicated to paying tribute to one of the sport’s legends. To celebrate Drazen Petrovic’s 60th birthday, an exhibition game will be played in the Croatian capital Zagreb on September 5 early next month.
Petrovic tragically passed away in 1993, but his legend lives on through players like Bogdanovic, Dario Šarić and Ivica Zubac. All three are set to compete alongside members of the Croatian national team, facing a team made up of other European players, according to Croatia WeekThe media outlet also reported that the match will be attended by former Croatian NBA players Damjan Rudež and Gordan Giriček.
After the Memorial Game, Bogdanovic is expected to be in attendance for the Nets’ training camp on Oct. 1. This will be the second rebuilding franchise he’s played for (the Detroit Pistons being the other) in the past two seasons, suggesting the 35-year-old could seek a buyout.
Bogdanovic’s willingness to return to the field bodes well for his chances of contributing to the organization he’s a part of for the 2024-25 campaign. Whether that’s in Brooklyn or elsewhere remains to be seen, but for now, his focus is on honoring his hometown hero.
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