Goga Bitadze born July 20, 1999 is a Georgian professional basketball player currently playing for the Orlando Magic in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing at 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 meters) and weighing 250 pounds (113 kilograms), he plays the center position. Bitadze was selected 18th overall by the Indiana Pacers in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Goga Bitadze Biography 2024
Born in Sagarejo, Georgia, Bitadze began his professional basketball career with VITA Tbilisi in the VTB United League. In 2015, he moved to the Serbian club Mega Basket and was loaned to the Serbian team Smederevo 1953 the following year. After returning to Mega in the 2017–18 season, Bitadze earned the title of Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Junior ABA League and quickly became a key player for the senior team. By the end of 2018, he was loaned to Budućnost in Montenegro and was named the EuroLeague Rising Star for the 2018–19 season. Bitadze has represented the Georgian national basketball team, making his debut in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers in 2017. He was also a member of the national team at EuroBasket 2017 and has previously played for Georgia’s junior teams in international competitions.
Goga Bitadze Biography Details
Born | 20 July 1999 (age 25) Sagarejo, Georgia |
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Listed height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
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Listed weight | 250 lb (113 kg) |
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NBA draft | 2019: 1st round, 18th overall pick |
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Playing career | 2015–present |
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Goga Bitadze Early Life
Bitadze was born in Sagarejo, a town in eastern Georgia. His father, a former professional basketball player, had his career cut short due to an injury. Although Bitadze wasn’t initially interested in basketball as a child, his tall stature and active nature led him to begin playing at the age of six. He drew inspiration from Georgian basketball stars like Zaza Pachulia and Tornike Shengelia, as well as NBA legends like Pau Gasol and Shaquille O’Neal. In 2013, he scored 17 points to help his school team, Hyundai, win the national under-14 championship, defeating Gori. Bitadze also played in the Georgian under-16 league for three years, and during his final season in 2014–15, he averaged 23.1 points, 16.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 3.8 blocks per game. He began his basketball journey training with the junior team of the Georgian club VITA Tbilisi.
Goga Bitadze Bio
Category | Facts |
Full Name | Goga Bitadze |
Birth Date | July 20, 1999 |
Place of Birth | Sagarejo, Georgia |
Nationality | Georgian |
Height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
Weight | 250 lbs (113 kg) |
Position | Center |
NBA Draft | 2019: 1st Round, 18th overall pick |
Drafted By | Indiana Pacers |
Current Team | Orlando Magic |
Basketball Beginnings
Aspect | Points |
Birthplace | Sagarejo, Georgia |
Father’s Profession | Former professional basketball player |
Early Interest | Started playing at age 6 |
Initial Training | VITA Tbilisi (junior ranks) |
Inspiration | Zaza Pachulia, Tornike Shengelia, Pau Gasol, Shaquille O’Neal |
School Team Achievement | 2013 National Under-14 Champion |
Under-16 Performance | Averaged 23.1 points, 16.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 3.8 blocks per game in 2014-2015 |
Professional Career
Aspect | Information |
First Club | VITA Tbilisi |
League | VTB United League |
Key Move | Signed with Mega Basket in 2015 |
Loan to Smederevo 1953 | 2016-17 season |
MVP Honors | Junior ABA League MVP (2018) |
EuroLeague Award | EuroLeague Rising Star (2019) |
Career Milestones
Aspect | Data |
ABA League MVP | 2019 |
Montenegrin Cup | 2019 Winner |
BLS Most Valuable Player | 2019 |
Junior ABA League MVP | 2018 |
ABA League Blocks Leader | 2019 |
Mega Basket (2015-2019)
Time Period | Years |
Junior ABA League Championship | 2018 (with Mega’s junior team) |
Points Per Game (ABA) | 20.2 in 11 games (2018-2019) |
Rebounds Per Game (ABA) | 7.9 in 11 games |
Blocks Per Game (ABA) | 2.6 in 11 games |
EuroLeague Debut | 2018-19 season with Budućnost |
Budućnost (Loan) 2018-2019
Aspect | Dates |
Team | Budućnost |
EuroLeague Debut | December 2018 |
Points Per Game (EuroLeague) | 12.1 in 13 games |
Rebounds Per Game (EuroLeague) | 6.4 |
Blocks Per Game (EuroLeague) | 2.3 |
NBA Career Overview
Season | Team | Games Played (GP) | Points Per Game (PPG) | Rebounds Per Game (RPG) | Blocks Per Game (BPG) |
2019-2020 | Indiana Pacers | 54 | 3.2 | 2.0 | 0.7 |
2020-2021 | Indiana Pacers | 45 | 5.1 | 3.3 | 1.3 |
2021-2022 | Indiana Pacers | 50 | 7.0 | 3.5 | 0.8 |
2022-2023 | Indiana Pacers | 21 | 3.3 | 2.3 | 0.5 |
2023-2024 | Orlando Magic | 62 | 5.0 | 4.6 | 1.2 |
Career Highlights and Awards
Year | Achievement |
2019 | EuroLeague Rising Star |
2019 | Montenegrin Cup Winner |
2019 | ABA League MVP |
2019 | ABA League Top Prospect |
2018 | Junior ABA League Champion |
Goga Bitadze International Impact
National Team | information |
EuroBasket 2017 | Named to the Georgian national team |
2017 World Cup Qualifiers | Debuted in World Cup qualifiers |
Under-16 Achievement | FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship |
Under-18 Championship | FIBA Europe Under-18 Division B |
Impact in EuroBasket and FIBA World Cup Qualifiers
Year | Performance |
2017 | Played in EuroBasket (did not compete due to injury) |
2019 | Qualified for the FIBA World Cup |
Physical Strengths
Aspect | Details |
Height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
Weight | 250 lbs (113 kg) |
Position | Center |
Wingspan | Not specified |
Athleticism | Notable for quickness and leaping ability |
Goga Bitadze Impact in the NBA
Team | Years |
Indiana Pacers | Drafted in 2019, key role on team |
Orlando Magic | Joined in 2023, pivotal for team’s future growth |
Goga Bitadzes NBA Playoff Career
Year | Playoff Games Played (GP) | Points Per Game (PPG) | Rebounds Per Game (RPG) | Minutes Per Game (MPG) |
2024 | 2 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 4.9 |
Career Overview
Category | Summary |
Career Points Per Game (PPG) | 4.9 |
Career Rebounds Per Game (RPG) | 3.4 |
Career Blocks Per Game (BPG) | 1.0 |
Total NBA Games Played | 249 |
Goga Bitadze Net Worth
It is estimated to be around $16.3 million.
Goga Bitadze Summary
Goga Bitadze is a Georgian professional basketball player currently playing for the Orlando Magic in the NBA. He was drafted 18th overall by the Indiana Pacers in the 2019 NBA Draft and has played as a center throughout his career. Bitadze began his professional career in Georgia before moving to Serbia, where he gained recognition for his performance in the ABA League. He has also played for Budućnost in the EuroLeague and has represented the Georgian national team in various international competitions. Known for his defensive skills and ability to block shots, Bitadze continues to develop his game in the NBA.