Former Brooklyn Nets legend Drazen Petrovic is being honored in a matchup between Croatian and other European players on Sept. 5. Several NBA players are attending the match, including Denver Nuggets forward Dario Saric, Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, and Nets forward Bojan Bogdanovic. However, another notable name will be attending as well: Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic.
After a quick turnaround from the "Night of the Dragon" event in Ljubljana, Doncic is en route to Petrovic's legacy game in Zagreb, per EuroHoops.net. Croatian basketball coach Aco Petrovic confirmed Doncic's attendance and said Nikola Jokic could also be there.
It is great to see Luka Doncic and other European stars gather in honor of Drazen Petrovic's legacy. Petrovic was regarded as one of the best shooters in the NBA during his seven years in the league and was a rising star with the Nets.
Petrovic was involved in a tragic car crash in June of 1997 that ended his life and playing career. His legacy with the Nets and as a European basketball icon will be remembered for a long time.
Luka Doncic leading the new generation of European stars
Drazen Petrovic was one of the most beloved players in Nets history. His improvement during the 1991-92 season was unforgettable. He averaged 20.6 points and shot .44 percent from range, earning the NBA's Most Improved Player award. Then, he held an average of 22.3 points and shot .44 percent on threes in his last season with the Nets. As a result, he made the All-NBA Third Team.
Petrovic's professional tenure will not be forgotten. Stars of the next generation will carry his legacy forward, and Luka Doncic is one player who is leading the effort.
Despite being 25 years old, Doncic is a perennial MVP candidate. He averaged a league-leading 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, 9.2 rebounds, a career-high 1.4 steals, and shot 38.2 percent on his deep-range shots during the 2023-24 season.
Doncic helped the Mavericks claim the fifth seed in the Western Conference playoff picture in 2024 and guided the team to an NBA Finals showing. The Mavs lost in five games to the Boston Celtics, but Doncic and his team will be back.
Doncic and Dallas will be sure to give the Nets trouble in the future, but with the promising path Brooklyn is on, they will be equipped to compete with anyone in the NBA.