“If anyone deserves to succeed in basketball, it’s him,” said a neighbor of Goga Bitadze. In a world where most people seek celebrity validation and public figures often rely on a team to build their image, the 25-year-old Orlando Magic center is well regarded back home. There’s a saying that the best way to know someone is to ask those who live next door. It’s a challenge to maintain good relations with those around you, yet Goga seems to have done so effortlessly. As a player who represents a relatively small nation, Bitadze’s cultural roots offer an intriguing story. Let’s delve into the specifics of his background and heritage.

Where is Goga Bitadze from? What’s the Magic star’s nationality?

Goga Bitadze was born on 20 July 1999 in the historic town of Sagarjo near the capital city of Georgia. His father, Gocha, was a basketball player as well and wrestled for the Georgian national team, but his career was cut short due to an injury. Goga carried his father’s athletic background and by the age of 16, he was playing professionally for VITA Tbilisi and became the youngest player in the VTB United League’s history.

Bitadze’s early exposure to competitive basketball allowed him to hone his skills, eventually leading him to the Serbian club Mega Basket in 2015 which was a pivotal move in his career. He was named the MVP of the Junior ABA League and earned recognition as one of the top young prospects in European basketball. His performances in the European leagues caught the attention of NBA scouts, and in 2019, he was drafted 18th overall by the Indiana Pacers.

Has Bitadze played for the Georgian National Team?

Bitadze’s success in the leagues led him to the both youth and senior levels of the Georgian National Team. He debuted with the junior team during the 2015 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship Division B and finished in fifth place. He went on to play at the 2016 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship Division B and the 2017 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship Division B championships.

He was first named to the senior team at EuroBasket 2017 but an injury kept him out of that entire season. He came back during the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers. Since then, Goga has represented Georgia in multiple international competitions, including EuroBasket 2022, the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, and the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

As he continues to excel in the NBA with the Orlando Magic, Bitadze remains a proud representative of his Eastern European heritage and continues to inspire fans and fellow athletes, especially those who come from regions where opportunities may seem limited.