PHOTOS: Tribute to Dražen Petrović on his 59th birthday in his hometown
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
(Photo: Grad Šibenik)
A commemorative event was held today at the Dražen Petrović monument in Baldekin, Šibenik to mark what would have been the 59th birthday of the Croatian basketball great.
Born in Šibenik on 22 October 1964, Petrović was just 28 years of age when he tragically died in a car accident in Germany after returning from playing for Croatia in Poland in 1993.
Delegations from the City of Šibenik and Šibenik-Knin County, sports clubs, and associations laid flowers by his monument in memory of one of the greatest Croatian and global basketball players of all time.
(Photo: Grad Šibenik)
(Photo: Grad Šibenik)
“Dražen was a child of Šibenik, a symbol of our city, and we proudly tell the new younger generations about him. It is important for children to learn about his love for sports and his hometown, thus keeping the memory of Dražen alive, who brought glory to the name of Šibenik,” stated Deputy Mayor Danijel Mileta.
(Photo: Grad Šibenik)
Deputy County Prefect Iris Ukić Kotarac also addressed the gathering with fitting words. The Bunari choir sang the song ‘Život leti kapetane’ (Life Flies, Captain), while the program was moderated by students from the Juraj Šižgorić Elementary School. Flowers and candles were also placed beneath Dražen’s basket on Petra Preradovića Street.
(Photo: Grad Šibenik)
(Photo: Grad Šibenik)
As part of the celebration of Dražen Petrović’s birthday, the “Šibenik Ten” and “Dražen’s Four” athletic races were held yesterday, and today the 22nd Dražen Petrović Cup basketball tournament will take place at the Baldekin Sports Hall.
Dražen Petrović was born in Šibenik on October 22, 1964.
(Photo: Grad Šibenik)
(Photo: Grad Šibenik)
Voted the Best European Basketball player in History, Petrović had an illustrious career with the New Jersey Nets, averaging 20.6 points in 36.9 minutes on the floor, and nearly leading all NBA guards in field goal percentage (51%). He did not miss a single game.
(Photo: Grad Šibenik)
(Photo: Grad Šibenik)
Dražen also won Olympic basketball medals, as well as a gold and a bronze at the FIBA World and European Championships.
