Goga Bitadze
Goga Bitadze (Georgian: გოგა ბითაძე; born 20 July 1999) is a Georgian professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Listed at 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) and 250 lbs (113 kg), he plays the center position. He was drafted 18th overall by the Pacers in the 2019 NBA draft.
Bitadze with the Indiana Pacers in 2022 | |
| No. 35 – Orlando Magic | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center |
| League | NBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | 20 July 1999 Sagarejo, Georgia |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 250 lb (113 kg) |
| Career information | |
| NBA draft | 2019: 1st round, 18th overall pick |
| Selected by the Indiana Pacers | |
| Playing career | 2015–present |
| Career history | |
| 2015–2016 | Vita Tbilisi |
| 2016–2019 | Mega |
| 2016–2017 | →Smederevo |
| 2018–2019 | →Budućnost |
| 2019–2023 | Indiana Pacers |
| 2019–2021 | →Fort Wayne Mad Ants |
| 2023–present | Orlando Magic |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Born in Sagarejo, Bitadze started playing basketball professionally with VITA Tbilisi in the VTB United League. In 2015, he moved to Serbian club Mega Basket and was loaned to Serbian League team Smederevo 1953 in the following year. Upon his return to Mega in 2017–18, Bitadze was named most valuable player (MVP) of the Junior ABA League and became a key player for the senior team. At the end of 2018, he was loaned to Budućnost in Montenegro and was named EuroLeague Rising Star for the 2018–19 season.
Bitadze is a member of the Georgian national basketball team. He was named to the national team at EuroBasket 2017 and made his debut at FIBA World Cup qualifiers in 2017. Previously, Bitadze represented Georgia at the junior level in FIBA competition.