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31 August, 2017
17 September
12 Zoran Dragic (SLO), Slovenia v Ukraine (Photo: Jure Banfi)
08/09/2016
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Zoran Dragic bids farewell to Slovenia's summer campaign with star display

LJUBLJANA (FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers) – Zoran Dragic’s outstanding 28-point, 7-rebound display that propelled Slovenia to an important 84-77 win over Ukraine on Wednesday night marked the last appearance of the charismatic winger in the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers.

The younger of the Dragic brothers departed the Slovenian national team camp on Thursday morning to join his new club, EA7 Olimpia Mliano, in pre-season preparations.

The Slovenian federation (KZS) were aware beforehand of Dragic’s intention to leave early for the Italian powerhouse and gave their authorisation to the decision, but since he is their leading scorer and second-leading rebounder in this campaign (17.3 points and 5.7 boards per game) they would naturally have preferred to retain his services as they seek to extend further their three-game winning streak in Group E.

"Already before the start of this summer’s national team campaign Zoran had expressed a desire to complete his participation in the Qualifiers after the third game," KZS Secretary General Radoslav 'Raso' Nesterovic said in a statement. "A new team in a new country and a new environment awaits him in the upcoming club season and he will have to adapt to all these circumstances.

"Despite this year's premature farewell Zoran will continue to be an important centrepiece of the national team and his decision will not change anything in the future." - Raso Nesterovic

"So we had agreed to sit down again and examine the situation after our results in the first games and also listen to the opinion of the coaching staff. During our last conversation Zoran again expressed his wish to leave the team following the home game against Ukraine and join Milano.

"The Basketball Federation of Slovenia and the team staff did not share the same opinion with Zoran but we respect his decision. Despite this year's premature farewell Zoran will continue to be an important centrepiece of the national team and his decision will not change anything in the future. The national team understands and supports Zoran and wishes him a very successful club season."

After getting off to a perfect 3-0 start Slovenia are playing away at Kosovo on Saturday night, then hosting Bulgaria on Wednesday and conclude their schedule with the return game in Ukraine, on 17 September.

Edo Muric, who started alongside Zoran Dragic on the wing in the first three games of the Qualifiers, leads Igor Kokoskov’s side in efficiency with 20.7 per game. Slovenia’s other options on the wing include Jaka Blazic, Klemen Prepelic and Miha Lapornik who are all expected to see an increase of their playing time, after combining for 49 minutes per game so far.

Meanwhile point guard Jaka Klobucar has the size to easily play at the '2' or even the '3' spot and 19-year-old Vlatko Cancar, who is debuting with the senior national team this summer, could grab the chance and convince coach Kokoskov he deserves a steady spot on the rotation.

The KZS Secretary General is confident that the 'Junaki' have enough artillery available to fill in for what has been their main weapon during the first half of the campaign. "The Federation and the coaching staff believe that despite Zoran’s departure Slovenia has sufficient players of great quality to successfully conclude the remainder of qualification for EuroBasket 2017," Nesterovic said.

FIBA