Brooklyn Nets fans have had the pleasure of watching several franchise legends across the team's New Jersey and New York City tenure. One guard who deserves a high spot on the Nets' all-time greats list is former sharpshooter Drazen Petrovic. Petrovic spent just three years with the Nets and left an incredible impact. His legacy extends beyond New Jersey, given an announcement involving the Team Croatia national basketball team.
Petrovic played in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics for Yugoslavia, a team that was partially represented by Croatian natives like himself. He helped Yugoslavia to a bronze medal in 1984, a silver in 1988, and a European Championship in 1989, according to his Olympics.com biography. Petrovic's legacy with the national team is being honored in an exhibition matchup in early September.
The Croatian national basketball team and a European selection will play a match on Sep. 5 in Zagreb to mark the 60th anniversary of the birth of Petrovic, per Croatia Week.
Petrovic fell victim to a tragic and fatal car crash in 1993, which ended his playing career. 2024 Croatian NBA stars Dario Saric, Ivica Zubac, and Nets forward Bojan Bogdanovic are expected to be in attendance for the honorary game.
Looking back on Drazen Petrovic's time with the Nets
Drazen Petrovic is regarded as one of the most respected shooters in NBA history. He started his Nets tenure during the 1990-91 season, averaging 12.6 points on a .37 three-point shooting clip. But what came one year later amazed New Jersey fans.
Petrovic improved to 20.6 points and .44 percent from range in 1991-92, earning a Most Improved Player honor. Then, he further ascended to a career-high 22.3 points and shot .44 percent on threes in his last season with the Nets. For his standout effort, he made the All-NBA Third Team.
Drazen Petrovic's time in the NBA will not be forgotten. Although the Nets have moved to Brooklyn since Petrovic's tenure, fans of the modern-day continue to look back in awe of his accomplishments.
The 2024 Nets and Team Croatia are moving forward while acknowledging crucial legends of the past.