Boštjan Fabjančič, childhood friend:
"Gogi was much talked about as a talented young basketball player in Koseze part of Ljubljana. This meant that he had to prove himself and endure some roughness when playing against older guys. But they didn't stop his trademark competitiveness. To this day, he'll still try to beat you at any game, whether it's basketball, chess, darts, or scrabble. He will also want to be faster and better at whitewashing walls, mowing grass, and assembling furniture. It is part of his personality. Everything he does, he does at 110%. I think his teammates and coaches have been able to appreciate that throughout his career."
Gregor Terzič, childhood friend:
"On the road in Velenje, playing for Ilirija, Gogi caused a lot of trouble for his opponents in the first half. He was wriggling between opponents 30 kilograms heavier than him, so much so that a home fan in the stands demanded his team stop him, even at the cost of an injury. During half-time, a brief conversation with Goran's coach, Spasoje Todorović, ensured that the hot-blooded fan did not speak again in the second half.
Spale was part of Goran's supportive environment, his father away from home. When Gogi came to training wearing a gold chain one day, he heard his coach's lecture: "Who do you think you are?" After shedding a tear or two, Goran no longer came to practice wearing jewelry.
Goran was raised similarly, first and foremost by his father, Marinko. During his childhood and youth, he took us to every match and supported us from the stands, sometimes with special motivational techniques. At one game, when Gogi stood at the free-throw line, the shout from the stands was: "No watermelon for you if you don't score!"
Denis Hodžić, childhood friend:
"Gogi was a popular but modest and down-to-earth teenager. As the son of a driving instructor, he got behind the wheel of a car a little earlier than his peers. His self-confidence was never in question anyway. The best proof of this is his decision to go to the NBA. He took a huge risk by buying out a contract in Europe, but he made a brave decision with faith in himself, and it paid off.
With this bravery, reinforced by the American optimism that his new surroundings instilled in him, he was often able to help me with career advice. Gogi is unafraid to try anything, and his fearlessness encourages and motivates those around him."
"Goran has been a talented athlete with excellent motor skills from a young age. He would have succeeded no matter which sport he took up. But he chose basketball and gave himself to it completely. After a practice in school, he went to a club practice and finished the day playing street basketball on the outdoor courts. There, he also learned tricks that I, as a teacher, did not allow. The boys learned on their own how to pull down a defensive player's shorts or secretly pinch an opponent. But even such skills help a basketball player to become more resourceful.
Goran's behavior at school did not stand out from the average. He was such a good basketball player that he didn't need to look for attention in other ways off the court. He was competitive and knew how to show that he didn't like losing, but he responded with even more commitment and hard work."
Bill Duffy, agent:
"We followed Goran in his early career when he was playing in Europe. I liked him right from the first meeting. He is one of the kindest and most honest people I have ever had the honor to meet. I have five children who have met hundreds of athletes in their lives, but Gogi is their favorite. They love his authenticity. He is one of those people who will somehow find out about your wedding anniversary and call you to congratulate you. You try even harder as an agent for such a player, not only because it's your job but because you value him as a person.
When Goran made the move to the NBA, we wanted him to join Steve Nash in Phoenix and grow with his mentorship. But the plan wouldn't have been successful without his work ethic, which has helped him grow and develop throughout his career and later become an All-Star. He has always proudly represented his country's colors, which means that he has played double seasons - for the club and the national team - for several consecutive years. This can take its toll on an athlete's body, but Gogi has become a smarter player. He has found ways to take advantage of situations on the court, improved his shooting, and taken care of his body. This, and above all, the fact that he is a pleasure to work with, makes him highly respected and popular in NBA circles. I love him too."
Božidar Maljković, former national team coach:
"I can say that there are very few players who could have played in that Yugoplastika team, which journalists declared the best in the world. Goran Dragić certainly could. It's not only basketball qualities that make the difference, but also human qualities.
After the friendly game in Koper, which we won to take first place in the tournament, I gave the players the day off. They all showered and left quickly with their dads, moms, girlfriends, wives ... Goran was the only one who took the bus back to Ljubljana. The big NBA star returned with our bus driver, Janez, listening to the music they both love. For me, this is a case above the rest. This story is worth more to me than if he had scored fifty points in a game."
Jaka Lakovič, national team teammate:
"Goran and I played together for the first time at the 2006 World Championships in Japan. The team quickly accepted him, and his attitude and enthusiasm made him fit in immediately. He was a bit shy initially, but he was very competitive and talented on the floor. After that, we spent many summers together, training and competing. We were even roommates at the World Championships in Spain in 2014. We got along great; he was always full of positive energy.
Gogi had developed into a true leader by the 2017 European Championships, where we worked together as an assistant coach and a team captain. He held the baton on and off the field. He developed his leadership skills to the highest level. We all know what happened on the floor, but Goran's role in winning the title is even greater. He was always in charge behind the scenes and was able to encourage the team in good and bad moments."
Boštjan Nachbar, national team teammate:
"I've heard about Goran before as a promising young basketball player, but the first time we played together was at the 2009 European Championship in Poland. He had strong competition at his position in the national team and he made great use of his first national team call-ups to learn from his older teammates. We also got along great outside the basketball arenas. He loves to laugh and is always in the foreground when it comes to fun moments.
He quickly developed into a team leader, and at my last national championship in Slovenia in 2013, he was already a real leader. I wish we had played together more. It was a pleasure to play with Gogi because he played a fast game that suited me. The best memories we have together are the ones from the games. The fast breaks, the drive, the dunks. Even though we played in different positions, we felt and played basketball in the same way."
"Gogi is three years older than me. That's why we spent our childhood playing together. From basketball to roller hockey and baseball. When he started playing football, I started playing football. Then he switched to basketball, and I followed him again. I remember wanting to accompany him and his friends on their first forays into nightlife and telling my father that I couldn't wait for my 18th birthday to join them. He was my role model; I wanted to be like him. Even though we played different positions and developed into different basketball players, he was also a mentor to me.
We are both very competitive. In my younger years, we were constantly honing our skills against each other in one-on-one games, but the games rarely reached the final score and sometimes ended with a fight. Then we showed our competitive spirit a few times in national team training, but nowadays we compete just with words, jokingly of course. The competitiveness also came out when we played together as kids against our dad, two on one. The prize for winning was ice cream. Since he couldn't beat us, he used to make up the score to put him in the lead. He would always cheat. In the end, though, we all went for a well-deserved ice cream.
Over the years, of course, we have both written our own stories. After Gogi left for America, we spent summers together on the national team but otherwise kept in touch through phone calls. When we were younger, we used to analyze matches together, but over the years, it was mainly our children who became the topic of conversation. Goran is a family man. Now that his schedule allows it, he is even more active in his parental role. He has immersed himself in fatherhood and is making the most of it. He is strict when he has to be, but as an uncle, he is, of course, more lenient."
Žiga Koščak, director of the Goran Dragić Foundation:
"Goran has earned his popularity, alongside his success as an athlete, through his accessibility. He always makes time for a photo, an autograph, and a chat with his fans, whatever the situation. When he is approached during dinner in a restaurant, an interaction that would be routine or even unwelcome for most celebrities can take so long that the food on his plate almost goes cold.
With Gogi, no day goes to waste; he makes the most of each one. The children at his summer camp can see this up close every year. Having not had the opportunity to participate in similar events when he was younger, he is now even more motivated to give campers the best possible experience and spend as much time with them as possible."
Duško Vujanović, childhood friends:
"Gogi always knew how to take care of the people around him. In my younger days, his brother Zoran and I often ate at his expense. Playing for Slovan, he earned food vouchers, which Zoki and I used to spend on spaghetti bolognese.
Goran is one of the most spontaneous people. He sees opportunities instead of obstacles. With his personality, he can quickly get you excited about an idea. He is also genuine in his dealings with others, even if it is the first time he has met them. He can instantly connect with a stranger who asks to take a photo together in such a way that, on the outside, it looks like they have known each other for years. He is an extremely warm person who impresses everyone he meets."
