"That's His Last Photograph!" Emotional Tribute from Dražen Petrović's Mother: 'They Told Me I Didn't Realize Who I Gave Birth To!'
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Cibona marked their return to European basketball with a statement victory at the Dražen Petrović Basketball Hall, defeating Galatasaray, one of the favorites to win the FIBA Champions League.
Among the spectators was Biserka Petrović, the mother of Dražen Petrović, who tragically lost his life in a car crash in 1993.
Fans continue to visit Petrović's resting place, where his monument bears the final photograph of him in a Croatian jersey—a number four jersey that holds deep personal symbolism.
Biserka spoke about the memories and symbolism in an interview with "Minut Sport".
"That is Dražen's last photograph, which is why we decided to place it on his grave. It was taken in Barcelona in 1992, during his greatest achievement—winning the Olympic silver medal against the US Dream Team. We parted ways after that, and the photo holds a very special meaning for me; that's why it's there," said Biserka Petrović.
Biserka also reflected on what the number four represented throughout his career.
"He wore the number four because Dražen always planned to spend four years at every club—four at Šibenka, four at Cibona. That number was always on his mind. That's why we included the four cardinal directions on the monument. He was a captain, there is so much symbolism there, and basketball was his life," Biserka explained.
She also recalled a conversation with a Spanish psychologist, who told her she did not fully grasp the greatness of the son she had raised.
"I remember a psychologist telling me that Dražen had captivated all of Spain in just one year. He said, 'Mrs. Petrović, you don't realize who you gave birth to. If Dražen ever passes away, stories and legends will be told about him.' Back then, I couldn't comprehend it, but now I do," Biserka shared.
Petrović's mother also addressed comparisons with Radivoj Korać, noting how difficult it is to compare players from different eras.
"As for who the greatest player was, I'll let others debate that. But there's one comparison I won't entertain, and that's between Korać and Dražen. Their careers were cut short at their absolute peak; they never got to finish them. Both suffered tragedies at the height of their careers, and to me, that is beyond comparison. As long as I walk this earth, that's what I will say and teach the younger generations, because I believe it's right. Dražen isn't just Croatian; he belongs to this entire region, and we can all be immensely proud of him," Biserka concluded.
VIDEO: "Nobody believed me, I had to zoom in to show them": Dražen Petrović's mother shares heartbreaking detail regarding the date of her son's death
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