Goga Bitadze Bio
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 pounds (113 kg), he plays the center and power forward positions. Bitadze was drafted 18th overall by the Indiana Pacers in the 2019 NBA draft and has established himself as a productive NBA player following an impressive career in European leagues. He began his professional career in 2015 with VITA Tbilisi in the VTB United League before moving to Serbian club Mega Basket, where he developed into one of Europe’s top prospects. Bitadze is a prominent figure in Georgian basketball and represents his country on the international stage.
Early Life and Background
Goga Bitadze was born in Sagarejo, a town in eastern Georgia, on 20 July 1999. His father was a professional basketball player whose career was cut short by injury, passing on basketball genes to his son. Although Bitadze did not watch basketball regularly during his childhood, he began playing the game at age six because he describes himself as being active and tall from an early age. As he grew older and became more involved in basketball, Bitadze began idolizing Georgian players Zaza Pachulia and Tornike Shengelia, as well as NBA stars Pau Gasol and Shaquille O’Neal.
Bitadze played for Hyundai in Georgia’s under-14 league, and on 31 May 2013, he scored 17 points to help his school team win the national under-14 championship over Gori. He continued playing in the Georgian under-16 league for three years, where he developed his skills against older competition. In the 2014-15 season, his final year with Hyundai at the under-16 level, Bitadze averaged 23.1 points, 16.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 3.8 blocks per game, demonstrating the all-around talent that would characterize his professional career.
Path to Professional Basketball
Through his early career, Bitadze trained in the junior ranks of Georgian club VITA Tbilisi. In the 2015-16 season, he made his professional debut with VITA Tbilisi in the VTB United League at age 16, becoming the youngest player in league history. Through six games, he averaged 2.8 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 13.8 minutes per game, showcasing his potential despite limited playing time against more experienced opponents.
On 2 December 2015, Bitadze signed with Mega Basket of the Basketball League of Serbia (KLS) and ABA League. He was drawn to the club because it had produced notable NBA players like Nikola Jokić and Ivica Zubac, and he believed the Serbian league was well run. Reflecting on the move, Bitadze said it was difficult being far from his family and friends for a couple of months, but he adapted and learned to sacrifice in order to achieve something bigger in his career.
Goga Bitadze Career
Early Career (2015–2019)
For the 2016-17 season, Bitadze was loaned to Serbian club Smederevo 1953, which competed in the KLS. Through 19 games, he averaged 10.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. He debuted on 8 October 2016, recording 5 points and 4 rebounds in a 75-71 loss to Borac Čačak. Bitadze recorded his first double-double on 1 April 2017 against Dunav Stari Banovci, with 18 points and 11 rebounds. He also assumed a leading role for the Mega Basket junior team at the 2016-17 Adidas Next Generation Tournament (ANGT), averaging 17.7 points per game and leading the tournament with 10 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per contest.
Returning to Mega entering the 2017-18 season, Bitadze mainly played with the senior team. Through 22 games in the ABA League, he averaged 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. In January 2018, he helped capture the Junior ABA League championship and was named league MVP after averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds in the final tournament. He declared for the 2018 NBA draft but withdrew on 11 June, less than two weeks from draft night, deciding to return for another season of development.
Mega Basket and Budućnost Breakthrough (2018–2019)
To start the 2018-19 season, Bitadze continued playing for Mega Basket. On 30 October 2018, two days after recording 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks against Mornar Bar, he was named monthly MVP in the ABA League. On 3 November, he scored a season-high 28 points, shooting 10-of-11 from the field while posting 11 rebounds and 4 blocks in an 81-74 loss to Partizan. Through 11 games for Mega in the ABA League, he averaged 20.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game.
On 20 December 2018, Bitadze was loaned to Montenegrin club Budućnost, which at the time competed in the top-tier EuroLeague. In his first game for Budućnost on 24 December, he recorded 12 points and 4 rebounds versus Krka in the ABA League. Four days later, he made his EuroLeague debut, chipping in 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks in a 93-88 loss to Bayern Munich. Over 13 EuroLeague games, Bitadze averaged 12.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game and claimed EuroLeague Rising Star honors as the best under-22 player in the EuroLeague, establishing himself as one of Europe’s top young talents.
Indiana Pacers Era (2019–2023)
On 20 April 2019, Bitadze declared for the 2019 NBA draft, for which he was considered a possible lottery pick. On 19 June, during media availability for the draft, Bitadze appeared in a viral photo that showed him being ignored by reporters who instead surrounded Zion Williamson, the eventual first overall pick, in the background. A number of NBA players, including Dwyane Wade and Draymond Green, suggested he use the photo as motivation. Bitadze was ultimately drafted by the Indiana Pacers with the 18th pick overall in the 2019 NBA draft.
On 15 July 2019, the Pacers announced that they had signed Bitadze to his rookie contract. On 28 October 2019, Bitadze made his NBA debut, coming off the bench in a 110-99 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers with two points and a rebound. He spent three-and-a-half seasons with the Pacers, working to adjust his game to the NBA level while contributing as a depth player at the center position. On 9 February 2023, Bitadze was waived by the Pacers after three-and-a-half seasons, concluding his tenure with the franchise that selected him in the draft.
Orlando Magic Era (2023–Present)
On 13 February 2023, shortly after being waived by the Pacers, Bitadze signed with the Orlando Magic on a rest-of-season contract. He immediately became a valuable contributor for the developing Magic squad, providing interior defense and scoring. On 6 July 2024, Bitadze re-signed with the Magic on a three-year, $25 million contract, demonstrating the organization’s faith in his abilities and his fit within their long-term plans. The contract extension represented a significant milestone in his NBA career, establishing him as a core piece of the Magic’s frontcourt rotation.
Playing Style and Strengths
Bitadze is known as a physical rim protector with solid rebounding ability and an developing offensive game. His 6-foot-11 frame allows him to contest shots at the basket while his timing and instincts help him block shots effectively, as demonstrated by his success as the ABA League blocks leader in 2019. Offensively, he has shown the ability to score in the post and finish around the rim, with his 20.2 points per game at Mega Basket in the 2018-19 season highlighting his scoring potential. His basketball IQ and willingness to learn have helped him adapt to different leagues and playing styles throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Bitadze’s career has been marked by several significant milestones, from becoming the youngest player in VTB United League history at age 16 to earning EuroLeague Rising Star honors in his partial season with Budućnost. The viral draft photo incident became an unexpected source of motivation that helped shape his professional mindset. His journey from a small Georgian town to becoming an NBA player with a multi-year contract demonstrates his resilience and ability to overcome adversity while continuing to develop his game at each level of competition.
Goga Bitadze Career Wins
Bitadze has accumulated numerous individual accolades throughout his basketball career, particularly during his time in European leagues. His success at the junior and senior levels in the ABA League and EuroLeague helped establish him as one of the top European prospects of his draft class and earned him a spot in the NBA.
ABA League and EuroLeague Highlights
In 2019, Bitadze achieved his most successful European season, being named ABA League MVP, All-ABA League Team, ABA League Top Prospect, and ABA League blocks leader. He also won the Montenegrin Cup with Budućnost and earned BLS Most Valuable Player honors. Most notably, he was named EuroLeague Rising Star for the 2018-19 season, recognizing him as the best under-22 player in Europe’s premier basketball competition. These achievements came while playing for two different clubs during the season, demonstrating his adaptability and consistent performance regardless of his surroundings.
Junior Career Achievements
Before his senior successes, Bitadze established himself as a dominant junior player. In 2018, he was named Junior ABA League champion, Junior ABA League MVP, and earned All-Junior ABA League Team recognition while playing for Mega Basket. These accomplishments laid the foundation for his professional success and showcased his potential as a future NBA player at a young age.
Goga Bitadze Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Bitadze comes from a basketball family, as his father was a professional basketball player. However, his father’s career was cut short by injury, preventing him from reaching his full potential in the sport. This family connection to basketball influenced Bitadze’s early introduction to the game and provided him with basketball DNA that would eventually manifest in his own successful career. Despite his father’s career being cut short, the basketball bloodline clearly passed down to Goga, who has surpassed his father’s achievements at the professional level.
Personal Life
Bitadze currently resides in the United States while playing for the Orlando Magic. He moved to Serbia at a young age to pursue his basketball career, demonstrating the sacrifices required to pursue professional sports at the highest levels. His ability to adapt to new countries, languages, and basketball systems at a young age has been a hallmark of his development. Bitadze remains a prominent figure in Georgian basketball and takes pride in representing his home country on the international stage.
2025 Season Performance
Bitadze enters the 2025 NBA season as a established member of the Orlando Magic roster following his three-year contract extension signed in July 2024. The Magic have been building a young core of talent and Bitadze’s interior presence provides important depth and experience to their frontcourt rotation. His physical style of play and shot-blocking ability align well with the team’s defensive identity as they continue their development trajectory in the Eastern Conference.
On the international stage, Bitadze continues to represent Georgia at the senior national team level. At EuroBasket 2025, he led Georgia in blocks as his team made it to the quarterfinals and achieved a significant victory by defeating France in the Round of 16. This international success demonstrates Bitadze’s ability to perform at the highest levels of European basketball while serving as a leader for his national team. His continued growth in the NBA combined with his contributions to the Georgian national team position him as one of the most accomplished Georgian basketball players in history.