Tribute to the late Dražen Petrović on his birthday in his hometown of Šibenik

Drazen Petrović (Dražen Petrović Museum/Getty)

Croatian basketball great Dražen Petrović, believed to be the greatest player to ever come out of Europe, would have turned 54 today.

Born in the Dalmatian town of Šibenik on 22 October 1964, Petrović was just 28 years of age when he was killed in a car accident in Germany after returning from playing for Croatia in Poland on 7 June 1993.

His hometown of Šibenik has once again paid tribute to the late great on his birthday today.  

A huge replica of Drahass No.4 singlet from his former club KK Šibenika was put up this weekend in the centre of Šibenik, to mark his birthday.

A huge replica of Drazen’s jersey from his first club goes up to mark his birthday (Instagram)

54 ballons were also released into the air in Šibenik as players from the club paid their respects by laying wreaths.

Prigodnim programom u Šibeniku je obilježen 54. rođendan košarkaškog Mozarta Dražena Petrovića > https://t.co/Ae1nIsr1UI pic.twitter.com/xSC0zlxkOg

— HRT Sport (@HRTsport) October 22, 2018

Voted the Best European Basketballer in History, Petrović enjoyed an illustrious career with the New Jersey Nets, averaging 20.6 points in 36.9 minutes on the floor, and nearly leading all NBA guards in field goal percentage (51%). He did not miss a single game.

Dražen also won Olympic basketball medals, as well as a gold and a bronze at the FIBA World and European Championships.

Last week VICE Sports made a short documentary about the Croatian’s impact on the NBA and how he paved the way for fellow Šibenik player Dario Šarić.