By Cesare Milanti / [email protected]
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia – Goran Dragić said goodbye to his basketball career in a unique and spectacular match featuring some of the sport’s biggest stars.
Among his friends and colleagues was Robin Lopez, who played with Dragić early in his NBA career.
“Such a special night, one of my best basketball memories. Seeing Gogi and his family on the court, Gogi on the bench again with Steve, it’s hard to describe in words“, Lopez said of Dragić’s farewell match in Ljubljana.
He plans to return to Slovenia one day to continue his exploration.
“Very welcoming to me, I’ve been to the city center a few times already. I was hoping to explore it more, but everyone was so hospitable. I have to come back for more, with Goran’s family showing me around..”
Speaking about Goran, he explained what Dragić has meant to him throughout his career.
“We were beginners together, and he was someone I could turn to because he had already been a professional in Europe. Gogi was someone I could always lean on and turn to..”
Would Brook Lopez’s twin brother consider playing in Europe?
“I would absolutely consider it; I know how passionate the fans are and how high the level of basketball is..”
While he played last season for the Milwaukee Bucks Along with his brother Brook, as well as Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo, he followed the Euroleague a bit.
“A little bit. Thanasis and Giannis made me watch their little brother.“
Robin has spent the last 16 years in the NBA. Seeing this event, Goran Dragić is about to end his career; he realizes that his time will come.
“If it happens, it happens. I’ve had a great career so far, not as good as Goran’s, but I’m grateful for everything I’ve been given,” concluded Robin Lopez.
