Šibenik honours Dražen Petrović on anniversary of Croatian basketball legend’s death

(Photo: Grad Šibenik)

ŠIBENIK, 7 June 2026 – The city of Šibenik has paid tribute to Dražen Petrović, one of Croatia’s greatest sporting figures, marking the anniversary of the basketball legend’s death with commemorative events and a youth tournament celebrating his enduring legacy.

Petrović’s life was tragically cut short on 7 June 1993 when he was killed in a car accident in Germany at the age of 28, while returning from international duty with Croatia.

Wreaths were laid and candles lit at Petrović’s monument in the Baldekin district of Šibenik, where delegations from the City of Šibenik, led by Mayor Željko Burić, and Šibenik-Knin County, led by County Prefect Paško Rakić, gathered alongside representatives of sports associations, clubs and local sporting organisations.

Tributes were also paid at Dražen’s Basket in Preradovićeva Street, the place where Petrović first began playing basketball and took the first steps in a career that would make him one of the sport’s most celebrated figures.

(Photo: Grad Šibenik)

The commemorations focused on remembering a player whose achievements left a lasting mark on Croatian and world basketball while helping promote his hometown of Šibenik. Locals fondly remember him by the nickname “Naš mali” (“Our little one”).

Born in Šibenik on 22 October 1964, Petrović quickly established himself as an exceptional talent and earned the nickname “Basketball’s Mozart” for his skill, determination and basketball intelligence.

(Photo: Grad Šibenik)

He began his professional career with Šibenka before moving to Cibona Zagreb, where a series of outstanding performances paved the way for a transfer to Real Madrid. In Spain, he won major honours and further strengthened his reputation as one of Europe’s finest players.

Petrović later moved to the NBA, initially joining the Portland Trail Blazers before finding his greatest success with the New Jersey Nets. By the 1992 season, he had become one of the league’s standout shooting guards and was widely regarded as the best European player in the NBA at the time.

(Photo: Grad Šibenik)

His international career was equally impressive. Petrović captained Croatia to a silver medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, where Croatia faced the famous United States Dream Team in the final. During his career, he also won medals at World and European Championships, helping establish Croatia as a respected force in international basketball.

His contribution to sport was recognised with the Franjo Bučar State Award for Sport in 1992, while in 2002 he was posthumously awarded the same honour for lifetime achievement. That year, he was also inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

(Photo: Grad Šibenik)

In addition to the commemorative ceremonies, Šibenik hosted the international “Sjećanje na Dražena” (“Remembering Dražen”) youth basketball tournament over the weekend, organised by the Dražen Petrović Basketball School.

The tournament brought together four youth teams from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina: hosts OKK Dražen Petrović, KK Vukovi Zenica, Ribola Kaštela Basketball School and KK Adriatic.

Through competition, friendship and sporting camaraderie, the event once again celebrated the memory of a player whose influence continues to inspire new generations of basketball players more than three decades after his passing.