Goran Dragic, the celebrated former All-Star guard and EuroBasket 2017 champion with Slovenia has announced his retirement from professional basketball. Dragic’s illustrious 15-season NBA career saw him play for seven teams, including the Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, and the Miami Heat.

Dragic achieved significant milestones during his career, including being named to the All-NBA team in the 2013-14 season and winning the NBA’s Most Improved Player award that same year. His notable NBA highlight was his selection as an All-Star in 2018.

Reflecting on his career, Dragic expressed deep gratitude towards his family, including his parents Marinko and Mojca, his brother Zoran, his children Mateo and Vikorita, their mother Maja, and others who supported his basketball journey.

“I have lived my greatest dream and I am extremely grateful for the countless people in my life who have enabled me to play this long,” Dragic said. “It starts with my parents, Marinko and Mojca, my brother, Zoran, my kids, Mateo and Vikorita and their mother Maja, and the rest of my family who always allowed this passion of basketball to be a priority for me.”

Dragic plans to celebrate his retirement in Ljubljana, Slovenia, after the Paris Olympics, with details of the event to be announced later.

The 37-year-old Dragic often reminisced about Slovenia’s 2017 EuroBasket victory, a pinnacle in his career and a historic moment for Slovenian team sports. He played a crucial role in the tournament, averaging 22.6 points and 5.1 assists, and delivered a memorable 35-point performance in the final against Serbia.

The victory elevated Dragic to a national hero status in Slovenia, earning him one of the country’s highest civilian honors. He was also emotionally touched by a post-tournament gift: a jersey from the mother of his idol, the late Drazen Petrovic.

“It was everything,” Dragic said.

Dragic’s influence extended to mentoring young players, including Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic, who was part of the 2017 Slovenia team. Doncic acknowledged Dragic’s impact, especially his leadership qualities.

“It was an amazing run for him,” Doncic said. “I’m just glad I know him, I’m glad I played with him and man, I learned a lot about him, especially about leadership in that tournament.”

He remains a beloved figure in Miami, where Dragic and his family have homes. The Heat’s gesture of displaying billboards in Slovenia during his 2020 free agency deeply moved him and influenced his decision to re-sign with the team.

Dragic, a left-handed guard and the 45th overall pick in the 2008 draft by the San Antonio Spurs, had career averages of 13.3 points and 4.7 assists. He twice averaged 20 points per season and was instrumental in the Heat’s journey to the NBA Finals in 2020. An injury during that series, however, hindered the team’s championship aspirations.

In his retirement announcement, Dragic thanked many, including NBA commissioners David Stern and Adam Silver, coaches, team executives, and his agents Rade Filipovich and Bill Duffy, for their roles in his career. He concluded by acknowledging that while his professional basketball journey has ended, the dream and love for the sport will forever remain with him.

“All good things come to an end but this dream of basketball will always be with me,” Dragic said.