Imagine growing up as a young boy dreaming of making it to the NBA, imitating players like Michael Jordan and Steve Nash, while working day and night to become just like them. It’s the American dream. Yet, it was also a Slovenian one.

When Goran Dragic was growing up in former Yugoslavia, he was hoping to become a member of his national team and a professional basketball player. But he was dreaming of playing in the NBA. He used to wake up at 3 a.m. just so he could watch whatever NBA games were being broadcast on TV.

So in June, when despite being a member of the Slovenian National Team and one of the best club teams in Europe, Tau Ceramica, he dropped everything to climb aboard the next flight to Phoenix and work out for the Suns. Although he slept very little and was on the court just a few hours after arriving in town, Dragic left no doubts to on-lookers during the secret workout that he was ready for the primetime.

In fact, it did not take Dragic long to move up the ladder as one of Europe’s best prospects. After being recognized as the All-Slovenian Newcomer of the Year in 2005 and making the Slovenian All-Star Game in 2006, Dragic was asked to become a member of the its national team. Then, after performing well in the 2007 European Championships against the likes of players like France’s Tony Parker, Dragic became a focus of the Suns’ scouting department.

For a country that only boasts only a little over 2 million people, it possessed a bevy of NBA players that include Sasha Vujacic, Primoz Brezec, Bostjan Nachbar, Rasho Nesterovic and Uros Slokar on its national team. But for the young point guard, it was Serbian Sasha Danilovic that first inspired him to play in the NBA. The former Heat and Maverick guard was one of the first Europeans to make an impact in the league, averaging 12.8 points a game in his short stint in the mid-1990s.

Although Danilovic may be the player that he has modeled himself after, his Slovenian teammates that have played in the league have been offering him tips on making the adjustment from Europe to the NBA. Nesterovic, a 10-year veteran for the Raptors, has been in frequent contact with him.

“Before my first workout I talked with Rasho and he gave me a lot of advice,” Dragic said. “He said that I must work hard, listen to the coaches and my time will come when I will get to play.”

Although Dragic has played all throughout Europe, Dragic has only been to the United States three times. The first time he came was for the Global Games in Dallas four years ago, which was followed by his pre-draft workout for the Suns two months ago. His third trip was the one that brought him here for good.

The most memorable of those visits, at least to the Suns’ front office, would have to be the second one. To get an idea of the type of determination that Dragic possesses, think about the voyage he underwent just to partipate in a tryout that presented him no guarantees.

He boarded a flight at approximately 1 a.m. Phoenix time in Slovenia on Saturday, June 21. After arriving close to around midnight here in Phoenix, he headed to his hotel to get some rest. At 7:45 a.m. he was picked up by Suns personnel and taken to the arena for his pre-draft workout that included three other players. After running through basketball drills for just over an hour and a half, he showered and hopped on a plane back to his country.

For the weekend, Dragic spent 42 hours in transit, just so he could spend an hour and a half impressing the Suns' front office. From all accounts of the workout, Dragic didn’t complain once about the travel schedule he endured or how tired his body felt.

The Suns took notice of all of that on June 26, when they swapped picks with the Spurs and had San Antonio choose Dragic for them with the 45th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. Once President of Basketball Operations and GM Steve Kerr hung up the phone with the Spurs, the draft room erupted as members of the front office bounded around the room high-fiving each other.

If Suns management was that ecstatic, imagine the emotions running through the 22-year-old guard when Suns Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin woke him up at around 4 a.m. Slovenian time to tell him that he was coming to Phoenix.

"When Griff called me I had fallen asleep because it was so late," Dragic said. "But when he woke me and told me the news, I was so excited. I couldn't believe it."

And why wouldn't he be elated? Dragic had been waiting his whole life for this moment. Not only to play in the NBA, but to be tutored by his boyhood idol in an up-tempo offense that features players that he’s always admired.

“Amaré, Shaq, Steve Nash are some of the best players in the NBA,” Dragic said. “These were players I watched as a kid and it was my dream to play with them. I like to play fast-break basketball like they do here in Phoenix, play defense and pass the ball to my open teammates."

And his teammates should enjoy playing with him as well. Listed at 6-4. Dragic possesses a 6-7 wingspan to go along with his wiry frame that allows him to defend taller players. A southpaw, he's crafty with the ball and can slice through the lane in a manner that is similar to Manu Ginobili. He looks a little like fellow countryman and Sacramento King guard Beno Udrih on the floor, but he is much more athletic.

As he showed in his performance with the national team, Dragic is capable of dunking off the dribble and in traffic, while also displaying a littany of moves around the basket that allow him to finish in a myriad of ways. Although he displays a nice touch on his jumper and is consistent in shooting it from mid-range, Dragic is still developing his consistency from the NBA's 3-point arc.

And although the rookie guard is thrilled to be in the US, sample American food and visit cities like New York and Washington D.C., he has his priorities in order.

“I want to see how the games go; that is my first wish,” Dragic said. “I’m going to give it all of my strength to help the team.”

Based on what he did just get to Phoenix, Suns fans should take his word for it.

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