Dragic success put on a stamp
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Goran Dragic left an indelible imprint on Slovenian basketball during the offseason, leading the country to its first international title in any team sport, with the unexpected run to the EuroBasket championship.
Now, in addition to several Athlete of the Year honors in his native country, the Heat guard also has added some currency to his success in the form of postage.
As part of his country’s commemoration of the European championship in September, Dragic and his teammates are now featured on a Slovenian stamp.
“The whole team, it’s great,” he said following Monday’s shootaround, prior to facing the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. “For sure, I’m going to buy one and put it in a little paper and have it for memories. But it’s awesome. It’s awesome to see that, that the people back home, they appreciate what you did for the country and it’s great.”
Dragic, who has said the competition would be his final international appearance for Slovenia, but then somewhat hedged that vow based on qualifying success for the World Cup and Olympics by other teammates, said he appreciated the honor.
“I was surprised, of course,” he said, learning Monday of the stamp from Twitter. “I was surprised but happy at the same time. It means a lot, just to see the whole team on that little stamp, it’s great.”
He said, after reviewing the exchanging rate, that the stamp is valued in Euros, at about $1.50 U.S.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra previously had suggested Dragic, in light of the EuroBasket success, could eventually run for president in Slovenia.
“Nah, no, I don’t like politics,” Dragic said.
And, no, he does not expect currency to be next.
“No,” he said, “just a stamp.” Slovenian