Georgian basketball legend Zaza Pachulia turns 40

Georgia: Zaza Pachulia, the most successful Georgian basketball player of all time, celebrated his 40th birthday on February 10, 2024. The Ministry of Culture and Sports of Georgia congratulated him on his anniversary and praised his achievements and contributions to the sport.

Pachulia, who retired from playing in 2019, had a remarkable career that spanned 16 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), the world’s most prestigious basketball league. He played for six teams: the Orlando Magic, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Atlanta Hawks, the Dallas Mavericks, the Golden State Warriors, and the Detroit Pistons. 

He won two NBA championships with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018, becoming the first and only Georgian player to do so. He also holds the record for the most games played (1171) and points scored (7414) by a Georgian player in the NBA.

Pachulia also represented his native country with pride and passion, captaining the Georgian national team in four consecutive European Championships from 2011 to 2017. He scored 1236 points in 75 games for Georgia, leading them to their best-ever finish of 11th place in 2013. He retired from international basketball in 2017 but remained involved as a basketball operations consultant for the Warriors and the founder of a basketball academy in Georgia.

The Ministry of Culture and Sports of Georgia started honouring Pachulia on his birthday: “Zaza Pachulia is a true legend of Georgian basketball, who has inspired generations of young players with his talent, dedication, and leadership. He has brought glory and honour to our country with his achievements and championships in the NBA and with the national team. He has also contributed to the development and promotion of basketball in Georgia through his academy and his role as a consultant. We congratulate him on his 40th anniversary and wish him great success in his future endeavours.”

Pachulia, a holder of the Order of Honor and Sport Knight titles, thanked the ministry and his fans for their support and appreciation. He said: “I am very grateful and humbled by the kind words and congratulations from the Ministry of Culture and Sports and all the people who have followed and supported my career. Basketball has been my passion and life, and I am proud to have represented Georgia on the highest level. I hope I have positively impacted the sport and society, and I will continue to do so in any way I can. Thank you for your love and respect.”