Goga Bitadze

Basketball Bio

Goga Bitadze's Basketball Journey

Goga Bitadze's basketball bio

Goga Bitadze (გოგა ბითაძე) is a Georgian basketball player born on July 20, 1999, in Tbilissi. His height is seven foot (2m12 / 7'0") and plays center position. After an impressive Euroleague season with Buducnost VOLI, Goga was drafted 18th overall by the Indiana Pacers in the 2019 NBA draft.

European basketball debuts

Goga Bitadze started playing professionally at 15 years old in Georgia with Vita Tbilisi, and played 6 VTB United League games in 2015-2016.

Then, Goga moved to Serbia and played for Smederevo in 2016-2017. He averaged 10.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 19 games in the Serbian league. In 2017-2018, he improved its numbers with Mega Bemax to 14.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 8 games. He also played 22 games in the ABA League for 11.8 points and 6.9 rebounds alongside teammates Vlatko Cancar and Dylan Ennis.

In 2018-2019, Goga started the season with Mega Bemax in great shape:

  • 24 points and 12 rebounds against Igokea
  • 26 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks against Mornar Bar
  • 28 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks against Partizan NIS
  • Goga Bitadze was named monthly October MVP and averaged 20.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks in 11 games with Mega Bemax.

    End of December 2018, Goga Bitadze was loaned to Buducnost VOLI, where he had the opportunity to play both in the ABA League and Euroleague. He even exceeded the expectations in the highest European competition, averaging 12.1 points (54.8 FG%), 6.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 13 games, with a game high 23 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks against Partizan NIS. Goga was named the best under 22 years old player (“EuroLeague Rising Star”), joining a prestigious list:

  • Erazem Lorbek in 2004-2005
  • Andrea Bargnani in 2005-2006
  • Rudy Fernández in 2006-2007
  • Danilo Gallinari in 2007-2008
  • Novica Veličković in 2008-2009
  • Ricky Rubio in 2009-2010
  • Nikola Mirotić in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012
  • Kostas Papanikolaou in 2012-2013
  • Bogdan Bogdanović in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015
  • Álex Abrines in 2015-2016
  • Luka Dončić in 2016-2017 and 2017-2018
  • Junior and Senior National Team performances

    Goga Bitadze has already many experiences with the National Team, first with 3 junior Europeans competitions in the Division B: U16, U18 and U20. Morever, he played a significant role in the 2019 World cup qualifier with Georgia averaging 16.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2 blocks in the 4 last games end of 2018.

    Goga Bitadze joins the Indiana Pacers

    After being selected 18th overall in the 2019 NBA draft, Goga will play for the Indiana Pacers in the 2019-2020 NBA season alongside Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis.

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    Boxscore glossary

    Basketball stats abbreviations

    • MIN: Minutes played
    • 2M-2A: Two-points field goal made, attempted
    • 3M-3A: Three-points field goal made, attempted
    • FG%: Field goal percentage
    • 1M-1A: Free throws made, attempted
    • 1%: Free throw percentage
    • Or: Offensive rebounds
    • Dr: Defensive rebounds
    • Reb: Total rebounds
    • Ast: Assists
    • Stl: Steals
    • Blk: Blocks
    • Fo: Personal fouls
    • Pts: Points scored
    • Eff: Efficiency