George Karl and 59YO Ex-NBA Star Remember 31YO Loss That Left Basketball Fans in Shock

Drazen Petrovic would have become one of the greatest basketball stars. However, a tragic car accident on June 7, 1993, snatched away the shining future he had ahead of him, and the sport lost an incredible player. Even to this day, fans recall how Mavericks star Luka Doncic’s game reminds them of the late NBA star. Thirty-one years after the heartbreaking incident, NBA veterans reflect on the memorable career he had in just five years in the NBA.

Remembering the Croatian player, former coach George Karl wrote, “We lost Drazen today in 1993. Wild! He was Luka before Luka. An amazing player and unique person!” He was one of the most impactful European basketball players. Karl’s heart-tugging tribute reminded former NBA player Muggsy Bogues of the thrilling matchups he’s had with the player. Sharing an old nostalgic pic of the two, Bogues wrote, “A true legend of the game 🙏🏽🏀 Was so lucky to have competed against him at the highest level.”

The image above happens to be from the time when Bogues guarded Petrovic during the 1986 FIBA World Championship. Though the two’s NBA careers overlapped from 1989 to 1993, they never played on the same team. Instead, the World Championship was one of the notable moments they shared. More so, considering Drazen was one of the hardest players to ever guard.

Drazen had gained immense success and popularity playing for Cibona and Real Madrid in the 1980s. After an impressive career in Europe, averaging 40 and 28.3 points respectively for the franchises, the 2× EuroLeague champion was drafted by the Portland Trailblazers in 1989. However, it was during his time with the Brooklyn Nets formerly called New Jersey Nets that he truly caught attention.

NBA legend Drazen Petrovic’ brief yet stellar career in the NBA

While playing for the Nets, Drazen gained prominence as one of the most remarkable shooting guards. He consistently scored more than 20 points in every game. When the young Slovenian player, Doncic, stepped onto the scene, many were quick to point out the similarities between the two players. However, Drazen’s brother, Aleksandar Petrovic, stated that the two have quite a different playing style. “Drazen mostly played in a significantly different way than Doncic does today, that is, as a shooter who came out of the screens,” he opined, while stating Doncic was more of a playmaker. 

During 2013’s All-Star Weekend, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James also praised the late legend. Former NBA player Reggie Miller once stated how Drazen was the toughest player to guard. “To this day, I tell people he was my hardest cover, and I hated him. Drove me absolutely mad with his antics, because he was so good at scoring the basketball right in my face and talking junk right in my ear,” Miller shared on HuffPost Live. 

In 1991, Drazen’s name was included among FIBA’s 50 Greatest Players. As a tribute, the Brooklyn Nets retired his jersey number 3, while Cibona retired his number 10. In 2002, he was honored with induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. His remarkable display of skill and his legacy will live on in our hearts forever.

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