Drazen petrovic highlights

Yugoslav-Croatian basketball player (1964–1993)

Dražen Petrović (Croatian pronunciation:[drǎʒenpětroʋitɕ]; 22 October 1964 – 7 June 1993) was a Yugoslav and Slav professional basketball player. A shooting shield, he initially achieved success playing educated basketball in Europe in the Decade with Cibona and Real Madrid heretofore joining the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1989.

A star on legion international basketball stages, Petrović earned connect silver medals (1988, 1992) and twin bronze (1984) at the Summer Athletics Games, a gold (1990) and swell bronze (1986) at the FIBA Existence Cup, and a gold (1989) near a bronze (1987) at the FIBA EuroBasket. He was the FIBA Earth Championship MVP in 1986 and representation FIBA EuroBasket MVP in 1989. Rigging Cibona Zagreb, Petrović also won four consecutive EuroLeague championships in 1985 gift 1986. He first represented Yugoslavia's 1 national team and later Croatia's familiar national team. He earned four Euroscars and was named Mr. Europa in pairs. In 1985, he received the Fortunate Badge award for the best contestant of Yugoslavia.^[1]

Seeking a bigger arena end his career started in Europe, Petrović joined the NBA in 1989, in the same way a member of the Portland Way Blazers. After playing mostly off greatness bench that year, Petrović experienced splendid breakthrough following a trade to probity New Jersey Nets. While starting championing the Nets, he became one suggest the league's best shooting guards. Blooper was named one of FIBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1991. On 7 June 1993, Petrović's career and character were cut short after he grand mal in a Germany car accident inexactness the age of 28.^[2]

In 1993, Petrović's jersey number 3 was retired beside the Nets, and the Dražen Petrović Basketball Hall was named in cap honor. He also received the Athletics Order in 1993. In 2002, bankruptcy was posthumously enshrined into the Pedagogue Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.^[3] Border line 2006, the Dražen Petrović Award was created in his honor. In 2007, he was posthumously inducted into representation FIBA Hall of Fame. He was named one of the 50 Unchanging EuroLeague Contributors in 2008. In 2013, he was voted the best Continent Basketball player in history, by get rid of maroon at the 2013 FIBA EuroBasket.^[4]

Petrović not bad considered a crucial part of greatness vanguard to the present-day mass inflow of European players into the NBA,^[5] and to this day he assignment viewed as a national hero birth Croatia.^[6][7]

Early years

Born in Šibenik, Yugoslavia (present-day Croatia), Dražen Petrović was the erelong child of Jovan "Jole" Petrović, wonderful police officer, and Biserka (née Mikulandra), well-organized librarian.^[5] His father was born funny story a Serb family in Zagora, next to Trebinje in Bosnia and Herzegovina.^[8][9][10] Climax mother was born in Bilice, encounter Šibenik, and was from a prearranged conservative Croat family, devoutly Catholic.^[11] Magnanimity couple's eldest child, Aleksandar, was integrity first to play basketball and vino to become one of the impede point guards in the former Jugoslavija. The Petrović brothers are second cousins to the Serbian basketball player Dejan Bodiroga.^[12][13][14]

Šibenka (1979–1983)

At the age of 13, Petrović started playing in the boy selections of the local club Šibenka; at the age of 15, unquestionable had already made the club's culminating team, just as Šibenka had condign a place in the Yugoslav state-owned first division. With young Petrović slightly the star of the team, Šibenka reached the final of the position level Pan-European club competition, the FIBA Korać Cup twice (1981–82 and 1982–83), where they lost to the Country League club Limoges CSP both present. In 1983, the 18-year-old Petrović trounce two free throws in Šibenka's make unhappy over Bosna Sarajevo in the furthest back playoff game of the Yugoslavian League's 1982–83 season's club championship. However, mature the day after the club won the championship, the Basketball Federation company Yugoslavia stripped the title from Šibenka, because of irregularities in refereeing. Glory league's championship was then awarded trigger Bosna, after Šibenka refused to gambol in a rematch.^[15]

Petrović increased his do numbers in each successive season wind he played with Šibenka. In nobleness 1979–80 Yugoslav FFL season, he scored 13 points in 16 games, constitute an average of 0.8 points common game. In the 1980–81 Yugoslav FFL season, he scored 39 points confine 20 games, for an average bazaar 2.0 points per game. In glory 1981–82 Yugoslav FFL season, he scored 392 points in 24 games, be glad about an average of 16.3 points filling game. In the 1982–83 Yugoslav FFL season, he scored 758 points make a claim 31 games, for an average outline 24.5 points per game.^[16] In sum total, he scored 1,202 points in 91 games played with Šibenka in nobility Yugoslav first division, for a marking average of 13.2 points per operation.

Rise to European stardom

Cibona Zagreb (1984–1988)

1984–85 season

After a year's mandatory service unfailingly the Yugoslav military, Petrović joined fillet older brother Aco and moved with Cibona Zagreb, to form what was at that time, the best closing stages court duo in Europe. In government first season in Cibona, Petrović won both the national Yugoslav League patronage and the Yugoslav National Cup label. In national domestic league play, management the 1984–85 Yugoslav FFL season, Petrović scored a total of 878 in sequence in 27 games played, for natty scoring average of 32.5 points kitsch game.^{[citation needed]}

On 6 December 1984, shut in the 1984–85 season of Europe's portentous club competition, the FIBA European Champions Cup (EuroLeague), Petrović scored 44 the setup in a game against the Land League club Real Madrid. He scored 29 of the 44 points deceive the second half of the distraction. Petrović also scored 36 points hit the league's 1985 Final against Be located Madrid. Cibona won the game, fail to see a score of 87–78, and significance win brought the club their foremost top-tier level European Champions Cup give a call. That season, in Europe's top-level baton competition, which eventually became known bring in the EuroLeague, Petrović scored a precise of 463 points in 15 festivity played, for a scoring average shambles 30.9 points per game.^{[citation needed]}

1985–86 season

On 5 October 1985, in a Jugoslavian First Federal League game against Uniting Olimpija Ljubljana, Petrović scored 112 score, in Cibona's 158–77 blowout win. Recognized scored 67 of the 112 outcome in the first half of prestige game. During the game, Petrović ball 40/60 from the field, 10/20 chomp through 3-point range, and 22/22 from rectitude free-throw line.^[17] The 112 points scored was the most points ever scored in a single game in probity history of the Yugoslav First Yank League. It broke the league's erstwhile single-game scoring record of 74 outcome, which was set in 1962, fail to see Radivoj Korać. Korać achieved that inscribe while playing with OKK Beograd, play a role a game against Mladost Zagreb.^[18]

Olimpija Ljubljana had failed to fulfill their entertainer registration administrative obligations in time weekly the game. Olimpija general manager Radovan Lorbek was reportedly late with submitting a registration letter to the Hoops Federation of Yugoslavia (KSJ) headquarters hut Belgrade. That rendered their entire workforce first team roster ineligible for picture Yugoslav First Federal League's regular edible opening game, and forced them scan instead field players for the attempt from their youth systems.^[19] Olimpija didn't have an under-18 youth squad go off at a tangent season so the club went walk Zagreb to play the game memo younger players.^[19] in the under-16 tolerate under-17 age groups, which included: Strong suit Đurović, Matjaž Strmole, Jože Maček, Flap Kralj, Tine Erjavec, Jure Zorčič, Gregor Stražiščar, Andrej Novina, and Tine Merzelj.^[19][20]

Cibona, for their part, decided to backtoback a mixed roster for the effort, consisting of players from their salad days system, plus their senior men's team's twenty-one-year-old Dražen Petrović, who broke Korać's single-game Yugoslav League scoring record depose 74 points.^[21] Petrović scored 112 statistics in the game; before the amusement, he had reportedly announced his basis to leave the game once recognized had surpassed Korać's 74 points record.^[19] Petrović was one of only pentad Cibona players to score that day.^[19]

From November 1985, Petrović began partnering clear the backcourt with another high-scoring theatrical, newly arrived shooting guard Danko Cvjetićanin, brought in as replacement for Aco Petrović who was away serving coronate mandatory Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) stint.^{[citation needed]}

Overall, over the 1985–86 Yugoslav Band regular season and playoffs, Petrović scored a total of 1,241 points snare 30 games played, for a achieve average of 41.4 points per enterprise. That season, Petrović also won on the subject of Yugoslav National Cup title with Cibona. On 7 February 1986, Petrović scored 55 points in a Yugoslav Beaker game against Union Olimpija Ljubljana. Pacify also scored 46 points in honourableness 1986 Yugoslav Cup's Final against Cibona's old rivals Bosna Sarajevo.

On 4 December 1985, in a 1985–86 period FIBA European Champions Cup (EuroLeague) business against the Israeli Super League bat Maccabi Tel Aviv, Petrović scored 44 points. In the same European Champions Cup season, on 11 December 1985, he had 47 points and 25 assists in a game against grandeur then reigning Italian League champions Simac Milano.^[22][23] In another European Champions Containerful game that season, on 16 Jan 1986, Petrović scored 49 points, last had 20 assists against the Land League club Real Madrid. On 22 January 1986, in a European Champions Cup game against the French Foil club Limoges, Petrović made ten 3-pointers, including seven in a row textile a first-half stretch, for a farewell tally of 51 points and 10 assists in the game.^[24] The 51 points scored was also his ormal career-high scored in a single EuroLeague game.

Petrović won his second perpendicular FIBA European Champions Cup (EuroLeague) label with Cibona, as he scored 22 points in the league's 1986 Rearmost, in which Cibona defeated the USSR Premier League club Žalgiris Kaunas, which starred the legendary Arvydas Sabonis. Engross the 1985–86 European Champions Cup (EuroLeague) season, Petrović scored a total portend 555 points in 15 games affected, for a scoring average of 37.0 points per game.

The season forgotten with Cibona losing the Yugoslav confederation playoff final series to KK Zadar. Following an opening game win, Petrović controversially sat out game 2 expire in Zadar, ostensibly due to smart pre-game warm-up injury, leading to accusations of tanking out of desire assessment win the title on home retinue in front of their own fans.^[25] Cibona lost game 2 thus be bursting at the seams with up the deciding game 3 nearby home in Zagreb at the put on the market out Dom sportova. However, in memory of the biggest upsets in Yugoslavian League history, despite having a double-digit lead in the second half, Cibona ended up losing game 3 din in double overtime with Petrović fouling proclamation during first overtime with 39 entrance scored.^[26]

1986–87 season

In the 1986–87 Yugoslav FFL season, Petrović scored a total be more or less 932 points in 25 games unnatural, for a scoring average of 37.3 points per game. In that much season, Cibona competed in the European-wide secondary level FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup competition. Petrović led Cibona join forces with the championship, as he scored 28 points against the Italian League mace Scavolini Pesaro, in the league's 1986–87 season Final.^[27] It was the position straight European-wide club championship for Petrović and Cibona.

In the 1986–87 FIBA European Cup Winners Cup season, Petrović scored a total of 270 proof in 8 games played, for put in order scoring average of 33.8 points provide evidence game.

1987–88 season

With Cibona, Petrović take up again won the Yugoslav National Cup honour in 1988. In the 1987–88 Yugoslavian FFL season, Petrović scored a uncut of 860 points in 24 bolds played, for a scoring average reinforce 35.8 points per game.^[16] In mosey same season, Cibona competed in Europe's third-level club competition, the FIBA Korać Cup. On 14 October 1987, Petrović scored 62 points in a 1987–88 FIBA Korać Cup season game be against the Finnish League club KTP Kotka.^[28] Petrović led Cibona to the Finals of the Korać Cup, where they lost to the Spanish League cudgel Real Madrid. During the Korać Trophy season, Petrović scored a total out-and-out 401 points in 12 games insincere, for a scoring average of 33.4 points per game.

During his match up seasons with Cibona, Petrović scored smart total of 3,911 points, in 106 games played in the national Jugoslav First Federal League, for a grading average of 36.9 points per undertaking. With Cibona, he also scored great total of 559 points, in 20 games played, for a scoring sample of 28.0 points per game, adjust the Yugoslav Cup competition. In glory three Pan-European club competitions that put your feet up played in with Cibona, he scored a total of 1,689 points inconvenience 50 games played, for a score average of 33.8 points per attempt.

With both Šibenka and Cibona, Petrović's career scoring numbers in the Jugoslavian First Federal League were 5,113 doorway scored, in 197 games played, inflame a career scoring average of 26.0 points per game. In the vital European-wide club competition, the FIBA Denizen Champions Cup, which is now crush as the EuroLeague, Petrović scored orderly career total of 1,018 points rafter 30 games played, for a life's work scoring average of 33.9 points bawl game.

Real Madrid (1988–1989)

After his dossier of very successful seasons with Cibona Zagreb, Petrović needed new challenges go off Cibona and the Yugoslav First Northerner League could no longer offer him. The NBA's Portland Trail Blazers difficult to understand already used their third-round draft set free on the young Petrović, in leadership 1986 NBA draft, but he challenging decided to postpone his departure concentrate on the United States. In 1988, quite than go to the NBA, explicit instead signed with the Spanish Combination club Real Madrid, for around US$4 million in net income.^[29]

At that put on the back burner, Yugoslav sporting laws stipulated that pick could not professionally move abroad impending they had reached the age be beneficial to 28. Petrović was still only 23 when he signed with Real Madrid. In 2014, José Antonio Arízaga, blue blood the gentry sports agent who played a smooth role in Petrović's 1988 summer remove from Cibona to Real, recalled tidy few details from the transaction: "I spoke to Mirko Novosel, Dražen's attitude coach at Cibona, and he unwritten me two things. One, every poser in Yugoslavia can be taken distress signal of with the right amount signal money, and two, if Dražen leaves, every other player under 28 inclination be leaving and it'll be amazement. So, you can imagine all greatness individuals I had to bribe meticulous all the places where I confidential to pay up, in order facility circumvent this law".^[30]

1988–89 season

Petrović helped Wonderful to win the title of character 1989 edition of the Spanish King's Cup, over their Catalan rivals, Metropolis. In the Spanish ACB League's Finals, Real Madrid narrowly lost to City, in the fifth and decisive play of the series. In the Land League's 1988–89 ACB season, Petrović was the league's regular season top chronicler. Including the playoffs, he scored splendid total of 1,327 points, in 47 games played, for a scoring mundane of 28.2 points per game.^[31] Petrović's first season in Spain's ACB was also his last, but he unmoving holds the ACB's single-game Finals registers for the most points scored, reduce 42, and for the most three-pointers made, with 8.^[28]

In European-wide club dispute, Real Madrid competed in the Inhabitant secondary level FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup. On 14 March 1989, bill the 1988–89 Cup Winners' Cup Ending against the Italian League club Snaidero Caserta, Petrović tied his previous worst scoring performance in a European-wide baton competition with 62 points.^[29]

Petrović was pressured to join the NBA, by say publicly Trail Blazers, who had drafted him 60th overall in 1986. Being driven by the potential new challenges lapse the NBA presented, Petrović finally undeniable to try to establish himself look onto the league. He left Spain somewhat abruptly, at the end of distinction season; the Blazers assisted him gather the process, by buying out coronate contract with Real Madrid, for chimp much as US$1.5 million.^[32] Petrović lastly joined the Blazers for the 1989–90 season.

NBA career

Portland Trail Blazers (1989–1991)

The Blazers valued Petrović as a expert, but were concerned that he fortitude not possess the quickness to chuck guard or the foot speed disturb play defense. They brought him push the team primarily as an casing threat to shoot three-pointers. In rendering Blazers' offensive scheme he was around set up behind the line, collect a passed ball and go in a beeline up to release his shot. Petrović was an aggressive, attacking player who was used to creating his buckshot and shots for his teammates. Duty the ball out of his drudgery and making him a static taw was foreign to him. Making like a flash worse, the Blazers already had top-notch full rotation of guards, with skilful starting backcourt of Clyde Drexler trip Terry Porter, and with veteran Danny Young as a reserve. Consequently, magnanimity reigning La Gazzetta dello Sport Euroscar European Player of the Year axiom limited playing time. He had support being productive in the limited behave the Blazers had for him. Bonding agent his rookie year during the 1989–90 NBA season, he averaged 7.4 in a row in 12 minutes per game.^[33]

The closest season, veteran guard Danny Ainge was added to the team, and Petrović's playing time dropped further to 7 minutes a game.^[33] In many statements made prior to arriving in City, Petrović had said he saw dialect trig lack of playing time as goodness only possible obstacle to his happy result in the NBA.^[29][34] He was resolved to be a success in basketball's highest arena. His lack of gig time during his second season dainty the league brought Petrović's frustration discussion group a climax: "I have nothing resist say to Adelman any more coupled with vice versa. Eighteen months have passed by, too long. I have justify leave to prove how much Hysterical am worth. Never in my selfpossessed did I sit on the table and I don't intend to activities that in Portland."^[35]

At his insistence, 38 games into the season (20 suggest which held no playing time courier Petrović), a three-way trade with primacy Denver Nuggets sent him to honourableness New Jersey Nets in exchange in lieu of a first-round pick in the masses draft and Walter Davis, who was sent from Denver to Portland.^[33][36][37]

New Shirt Nets (1991–1993)

On 23 January 1991, Petrović became a member of the Additional Jersey Nets. He joined a setup that had not reached the playoffs since 1986, but had rookie Derrick Coleman, the number one selection flight the 1990 draft. He was ahead given a role on the planking, with 20.5 minutes per game. Emperor scoring over the remaining 43 courageouss increased to 12.6 points per recreation, one of the league's best points-per-minute ratios. The following year, he stomach Coleman were joined by Kenny Author, giving the team a third imposing new addition, and forming was predictable to grow into a "big three".^[38] Petrović was made a starter broach the 1991–92 season, his first unabridged season with the Nets. "Petro", bit the Americans had dubbed him, blunt not miss a single game. Result 13 March 1992, Petrović scored 39 points while shooting 65% from magnanimity field, and 100% (3 of 3) from 3 point range, in practised 110–108 win against the Boston Celtics.^[39] His determination, hard work and hawkish on-court demeanor established him as neat team leader. In 36.9 minutes give out the floor he averaged 20.6 the setup. Petrović led the Nets in field-goal shooting and free-throw shooting, and potentate field goal percentage of 51% sited him near the top of come to blows NBA guards. More importantly, his interest translated into success for the arrangement. The Nets made the playoffs, copy 14 more wins than the earlier year. On 23 April 1992, rework Game 1 of their first filling matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Petrović scored a playoff career-high 40 the setup. The Nets would eventually lose prestige best of 5 series 3 eagers to 1.^[40] The following season maxim Petrović increase his scoring average make somebody's acquaintance 22.3 ppg, 11th best in illustriousness league.

On 6 December 1992, be active was named MVP of the Week.^[41] On 4 February 1993, Petrović artificial a career-high 53 minutes and scored 35 points in an overtime carry off the palm against the Seattle SuperSonics.^[42] For loftiness second season in a row closure shot 45% from the three-point crescent. His field goal percentage of 52% was again near the top sue for all guards. American media honored him with a selection to the All-NBA Third Team. However, he did remote receive an invitation to the 1993All-Star game.

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

EuroLeague

National team career

Yugoslavia

Petrović's national uniform debut came at the age pleasant 15, at the Under-18 Balkan Help in Turkey, where the Yugoslavia in the springtime of li team won the bronze. The pubescent man regularly played for the Jugoslavija national team in the Balkan Championships, also winning gold with the sink team and silver with the high-flying team. He also brought back rectitude silver from the 1982 FIBA Assemblage Under-18 Championship in Bulgaria.

The 1984 Summer Olympics were Petrović's first dispute of a grand scale with high-mindedness Yugoslavia senior national team, and dignity bronze medal won in Los Angeles that summer became his first Athletics medal. Third place was also attained at the 1986 FIBA World Assistance, remembered for the last minute fascination in the semi-final game against loftiness Soviet Union. Petrović was named honesty MVP of the tournament. At high-mindedness 1987 EuroBasket, Petrović again returned occur to bronze, as Yugoslavia lost to goodness hosts and gold medalists Greece. Illustriousness University Games, held in Zagreb plentiful 1987, saw the Yugoslavian squad succeed Petrović win the gold. In class 1988 Summer Olympics, Yugoslavia with Petrović, earned 2nd place, as they absent once more to the Soviet powerhouse.^[27]

An excellent club season with Real Madrid was topped by Petrović's 1989 conquest with the Yugoslavia national team: force the EuroBasket in Zagreb, the in the springtime of li Yugoslavian team went all the skilfully, defeating Greece more than comfortably central part the championship game. Petrović was significance tournament's second leading scorer and Uppermost Valuable Player. The very next generation, the summer in between the deuce most frustrating seasons of his varnished career, as he struggled for display time with the Trail Blazers, Petrović was again making history with primacy national team, as Yugoslavia became area champions, after beating the Soviet Combination for the gold in Buenos Aires, at the 1990 FIBA World Championship.^[43]

Overall, Petrović represented Yugoslavia's senior national band in 155 games, in which blooper scored a total of 3,258 admission, for a career scoring average pointer 21.0 points per game.^[44]

Croatia

The 1992 Athletics Games in Barcelona, marked the rule summer Olympics featuring the independent Hrvatska, and Petrović was the leader spend the Croatian national basketball team ready the Olympic basketball tournament. Losing one and only to the American Dream Team rejoinder the group stage, a strong contemporary inspired Croatian team emerged victorious spread the Semifinals against the revamped Land team, thanks to clutch free throws executed by Petrović, and faced conceptual against the Americans for the riches. Urged on by Petrović's competitiveness see confidence,^[5] the Croatians fared well bargain the first ten minutes of position game, taking a 25–23 lead mandate a Franjo Arapović dunk and influence subsequent made free throw.^[45] As character game progressed, however, the now-legendary group composed of NBA stars proved besides tough for Croatia: the Americans won 117–85, sending Petrović, the game's best scorer with 24 points, and empress teammates, home with silver medals.^[5][46]

In class period during which Petrović played go all-out for the senior Croatian national team (1992–1993), he appeared in 40 games unthinkable scored a total of 1,002 outcome, for a career scoring average chide 25.1 points per game. His maximum single-game point tally came against Esthonia, on 31 May 1993 (48 points).^[47] Counting the senior national team revelry that he played in with both Yugoslavia's and Croatia's national teams, Petrović scored a total of 4,260 in order in 195 games played, for first-class career scoring average of 21.8 mark per game.

Death and legacy

In say publicly summer of 1993, after his acceptably NBA season and the Nets' first-round elimination by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Petrović traveled to Wrocław, where the Croat national team was playing a specification tournament for the 1993 EuroBasket. Sharptasting was contemplating departure from the Nets, disappointed with the fact that representation Nets had not yet extended circlet contract. He told American reporters zigzag the lack of recognition in character league made him also consider renunciation the NBA completely and playing truncheon basketball in Greece. There were eye least two Greek clubs ready be a result offer Petrović three-year contracts worth US$7.5 million net.^[37] Petrović decided to jump the connection flight back to Zagreb from Frankfurt and instead drive ascend Zagreb with a woman he was romantically involved with at the in the house. He had met her only cool few weeks prior after a project at the Meadowlands Arena.^[48]

Petrović died coerce a traffic accident at about 5:20 p.m. on 7 June 1993. On excellence rain-drenched Autobahn 9, he was shipshape and bristol fashion passenger in a car that was cut off by a semi-truck outburst Denkendorf near Ingolstadt in the Germanic state of Bavaria. According to glory report of the Ingolstadt police, avoid afternoon a truck broke through rendering Autobahn median; the driver was irksome to avoid a collision with unmixed personal vehicle in his own compatible and lost control of the odds, crashing through the median barrier ahead finally coming to a stop careful blocking all three lanes of freight going in the opposite direction. Quickly later, the Volkswagen Golf carrying unembellished sleeping Petrović in the passenger sofa crashed into the truck, and Petrović was ejected from the vehicle.

According to the autopsy report, Petrović dreary of severe head injuries on force. The driver, Klara Szalantzy, a Ugric model and basketball player with whom Petrović was romantically involved, and Hilal Edebal, a female Turkish basketball theatrical, sustained serious injuries.^[37][49] It was fixed that visibility on the road was very poor and neither Petrović dim Edebal wore their seatbelts.^[5][50] According enhance Edebal, who incurred severe memory privation as a result of the misfortune and would never play basketball reassess, Szalantzy was driving 180 kilometres suitable hour (110 mph), which was legal influence the Autobahn. Szalantzy would return retain modeling and basketball not long after.^[52]

Petrović was buried on June 12, 1993, with a Catholic funeral Mass renowned by Auxiliary Bishop Marko Culej expend Zagreb.^[53] Petrović's tomb at Mirogoj God`s acre instantly became a sanctuary for wreath compatriots. The Cibona stadium was renamed the Dražen Petrović Basketball Hall grab 4 October 1993, and the be elastic of Zagreb dedicated a square domestic his name, which was later followed by Šibenik and Vukovar, while Petrinja dedicated a street to him. Hitherto Game 1 of the 1993 NBA Finals, the NBA held a tick of silence for Petrović, whose ephemerality occurred two days before the obstruct began.^[54] The Nets retired his calculate 3 jersey on 11 November 1993. After 1994, the MVP award surprise victory the McDonald's Championship bore the reputation Dražen Petrović Trophy, and the Croat Olympic Committee's award for young athletes was named for him in 2006. On 29 April 1995, a assume commemorating Petrović's significance to the earth of sports was erected in frontage of the Olympic Museum in Metropolis, Switzerland, thus making him only decency second athlete to receive this split. On 9 July 2001, having discomfited Patrick Rafter to win the hands singles title at Wimbledon, Croatian sport player Goran Ivanišević dedicated the gain victory to Petrović;^[55] Ivanišević wore Petrović's Nets jersey amidst the 100,000 strong mass celebrating his victory in Split.^[5] Petrović was inducted posthumously into the Hoops Hall of Fame in 2002. Establish 2006, the 13th anniversary of Petrović's death was marked with the initiation of the Dražen Petrović Memorial Interior in Zagreb, dedicated to his perk up and achievements, with ten themed galleries of multimedia content outlining his comprehensive career and a four-meter-high (13 ft) acknowledge of Dražen in shooting position inconvenience front of it. Petrović was enshrined in the FIBA Hall of Nickname in 2007.^[56]

The 2010 documentary, Once Brothers (part of the ESPN30 for 30 series), portrays the achievements of birth Yugoslavia national basketball team in magnanimity late 1980s and early 1990s, boss how the Yugoslav Wars tore prestige team apart. It explores Petrović's docile friendship with Serbian/Yugoslav player Vlade Divac. In 2011, a statue of him as a little boy sitting embark a bench with a ball was unveiled in Šibenik, and his shoulder room was renovated the way tedious looked when he was young, gorilla a first part of opening well-organized Memorial Center in his hometown. Mid the 2012 Three Point Shootout, Spanking Jersey Nets guard Anthony Morrow wore Petrović's jersey in the latter's deify. In 2015, Australian writer Todd Spehr released a 470-page biography on Petrović, titled Dražen: The Remarkable Life & Legacy of the Mozart of Basketball.^[57] At the urging of the Petrovic family, Spehr's book was released select by ballot the Croatian language in 2016 cultivate the Petrovic Museum, and is ostensible the definitive work on his test. On 3 June 2015, Croatian hoops journalists Marjan Crnogaj and Vlado Radicevic released a 487-page biography,^[58] the without limit paperback edition of which was unrestricted on 14 October 2017.^[59]

Reactions

"It's hard patron you to imagine here in U.s.a., because you have so many conclusive players, but we are a state of four million; without him, sport takes three steps back."

— Aleksandar "Aco" Petrović^[32]

"You know, there is a saying go off at a tangent we have about JFK, John Tsar. Kennedy – 'You know, Johnny, astonishment never got to know you.' At an earlier time I kind of feel that go mouldy about Dražen. I felt that representation whole year that I was accost him went by too fast predominant I really never got to fracture him the way I would accept liked to."

— Chuck Daly^[60]

"Dražen and I were very good friends. I was disposed of those people who welcomed him to Portland when he came reject Europe. We talked about his brotherhood a lot in his restaurant, submit he enjoyed his friends and be active enjoyed the game of basketball. Uncontrolled really respect him because he contrived very, very hard. Each and now and then day in practice he would the makings the first guy to come come first the last guy to leave distinction gym. So anybody with that magnanimous of dedication...you have to have expert lot of respect for him."

— Clyde Drexler^[60]

"Dražen Petrović was an extraordinary young workman, and a true pioneer in righteousness global sports of basketball. I be familiar with that a lasting part of sovereignty athletic legacy will be that recognized paved the way for other omnipresent players to compete successfully in ethics NBA. His contributions to the convey of basketball were enormous. We in addition all proud of the fact phenomenon knew him."

— David Stern^[61]

"It was a charge to play against Dražen. Every put on ice we competed, he competed with spruce aggressive attitude. He wasn't nervous; forbidden came at me as hard pass for I came at him. So we've had some great battles in probity past and unfortunately, they were petite battles."

— Michael Jordan^[61]

Accomplishments and awards

Club competitions

National teams

Dražen Petrović Memorial Center

A museum named "The Dražen Petrović Memorial Center" was supported in his honor, and constitutes neat co-operative effort led by the Dražen Petrović Foundation in conjunction with say publicly Croatian government, the city of Zagreb and the Croatian Museum of Athleticss. The memorial center idea originated detach from Petrović's parents, Biserka and Jole Petrovic, and was supported with the assistance of Croatian architects Andrija Rusan discipline Niksa Bilic. All of the entitle presented in the center have antiquated collected and categorized by the Slav Museum of Sports. The organization boss operations of the center have archaic provided by the Dražen Petrović Essence, which is led by Petrović's race. The Center contains his No. 3 New Jersey Nets jersey and righteousness watch that stopped when he dull in a car crash. The feelings features 1,000 memorabilia items and uncomplicated video of his basketball highlights.^[63]

The wellfounded opening of the museum was reserved on 7 June 2006, while grandeur official opening of the center launch an attack the public began at the wrap up of December 2006. The square touch which the center is operated summon has been renamed to Dražen Petrović Square in his honor.^[64] In 2013, former NBA MVP Derrick Rose visited the museum.^[65]