Goran Dragic & Luka Doncic: A Slovenian Basketball Legacy

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic is set to participate in a special event honoring his fellow Slovenian and longtime mentor, Goran Dragic. The "Night of the Dragon," scheduled for August 24th, will serve as Dragic's farewell game and a celebration of European basketball. Doncic will join a number of other NBA players in this tribute to Dragic, who announced his retirement in 2023 after a successful 15-year NBA career.

As preparations for this momentous occasion continue, Dragic has been sharing stories from his basketball journey, including a heartwarming anecdote about a young Luka Doncic. In a recent appearance on Thanasis Antetokounmpo's Thanalysis Podcast, Dragic offered a glimpse into Doncic's early connection to professional basketball.

"When I was 15 years old, I signed my first professional contract," Dragic recalled. "And you know who my mentor on that team was? Sasa Doncic, Luka Doncic's father. When we had a game or practice, Luka, who was just a kid, would be there, mopping the floors and everything."

This revelation paints a picture of a young Luka, already immersed in the world of professional basketball, unknowingly laying the groundwork for his future stardom. Dragic continued, "In 2017, playing for the first time with him and now he's an NBA superstar. It's the circle of life."

Related: The Luka Effect: How Dončić is Expanding Mavs’ International Brand

Both hailing from Slovenia, Dragic and Doncic share a special bond that extends beyond their national team duties. Dragic, now 38, has had the privilege of watching Doncic's meteoric rise in the basketball world. From those early days in Slovenia to Luka's current status as the face of the Dallas Mavericks franchise, Dragic has been a firsthand witness to Doncic's incredible journey.

As Dragic prepares to hang up his sneakers, he can take pride in the role he's played in Slovenian basketball and in nurturing talents like Doncic. As Doncic continues to shine in the NBA, it's clear that his path to stardom was paved with hard work, dedication, and the support of mentors like Goran Dragic.