Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 12, 1993 TAG: 9306120061
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ZAGREB, CROATIA LENGTH: Medium
President Franjo Tudjman and other ranking officials of the Croatian government were among fans and friends who attended the Roman Catholic funeral in the city where the New Jersey Nets guard rose to stardom.
Petrovic died Monday in a car accident in Germany. He was 28.
Amid flowers, candles and dozens of pictures, Petrovic's body was escorted to the grave by Tudjman's guard of honor. The player's friends who carried the coffin wept openly.
Petrovic's best friend, former Boston Celtic Stojko Vrankovic, who now plays in Greece, sobbed so hard that Dino Radja, now with Italy's Bennetton team, held him in support.
Petrovic's parents and brother, Aleksandar, walked behind the coffin. His mother, Biserka, who often cheered Drazen when he played at home, had to be carried and later fainted in front of the open grave.
When the choir sang "Ave Maria," many in the crowd began to cry as well.
"I loved him," said Anamarija Kurtovic, a 26-year-old graphics worker from Karlovac.
The deaths of young men have become common here. At least 10,000 people were killed in Croatia's 1991 war with rebel Serbs. Tensions remain high, and sporadic fighting and killing continues.
"Many have died in this country, but this death hurts so much," said Mirna Legisa, a teacher who came to the funeral with her teen-age sons.
"Basketball's Mozart," as Petrovic was called by fans, will be remembered not only for his skills but for the joy and grace he brought to the sport.
"He always retained his boyish, open smile that he had when I first met him," said Mirko Novosel, head coach of Croatia's national basketball team, who recruited Petrovic at the age of 17.
"Drazen is gone now. And there will be no one like him."
by CNB