Last Updated on April 19, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here are the details about Goga Bitadze:

  • Full Name: Goga Bitadze
  • Nickname: Goga
  • Nationality: Georgian
  • Date of Birth: July 20, 1999
  • Hometown: Sagarejo, Georgia
  • Height: 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
  • Weight: 250 lbs (113 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
  • Shoe Size: 16 (US)
  • Shoe Brand: Nike Kobe 5 Protro, Nike Zoom Kobe 8, Nike Cosmic Unity, Adidas D.O.N. Issue #2, Adidas Marquee Boost, Adidas Crazy Explosive 2017
  • Jersey Number (College and NBA):
    • #88 — Indiana Pacers
    • #35 — Orlando Magic
  • Position: Center
  • High School: VITA Academy (Tbilisi, Georgia)
  • College: None (professional pathway in Europe)
  • NBA Draft:
    • 2019 / Round 1 / Pick 18 — Indiana Pacers
  • Player Archetype: Traditional rim-protecting center / drop-coverage anchor
  • Primary Offensive Role: Screen-and-roll finisher with occasional low-post touches
  • Defensive Role: Paint protector, shot-blocker, and positional interior anchor
  • Play Style: Physical interior big who operates primarily around the rim, sets solid screens, and plays within a structured half-court system
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right-handed
  • Athletic Profile: Below-average vertical explosiveness; strong frame; good timing and coordination
  • Recruiting Status: International prospect developed through Georgian and Serbian systems (Mega Basket pipeline)
  • Draft Status Detail: Late first-round selection after strong Adriatic League production and MVP honors in 2019
  • Injury Status Category: Moderate Risk — has dealt with intermittent minor injuries and conditioning interruptions, but no major long-term setbacks
  • Career Stage: Prime development / rotational big
  • Comparison Style: Interior defensive specialist with limited offensive creation
  • Comparable Players:
    • Andrew Bogut — positional rim protector with passing instincts
    • Jonas Valančiūnas — physical interior scorer and rebounder
    • Ivica Zubac — drop-coverage big with efficient finishing
    • Enes Freedom — offense-first interior presence
  • Teams Played For:
    • Indiana Pacers (2019–2023)
    • Orlando Magic (2023–Present)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Parents: Not widely publicized
  • Children: None publicly known
  • Siblings: Not widely publicized

Goga Bitadze’s player archetype is that of a traditional rim-protecting center, built around anchoring the paint defensively while contributing as a low-usage interior scorer. He functions primarily as a drop-coverage defender who relies on size, timing, and positioning to deter shots at the rim, while offensively operating as a screen-setter, pick-and-roll finisher, and occasional post option. Physically, Bitadze brings a strong 6’11” frame with a long wingspan, though his limited vertical burst and mobility cap his versatility in switch-heavy systems. His overall play style leans toward efficiency and structure—he doesn’t create much offense on his own, but within a defined role, he provides reliable rim protection, rebounding, and interior presence.

Profile Notes & Context

  • Goga Bitadze’s height with shoes is 7 feet 1 inch tall.
  • Goga Bitadze’s playing weight is 250 pounds.
  • Stylistically, Goga Bitadze aligns with Marc Gasol, Walker Kessler, and Jonas Valančiūnas, each reflecting aspects of his interior-focused role. The comparison leans on rim protection, screening value, and low-post utility within structured offenses. Valančiūnas emerges as the closest stylistic parallel, while Gasol’s passing IQ and Kessler’s vertical athleticism highlight how Bitadze fits a more grounded, defense-first variation of the archetype.

Sources:
NBA.com — Goga Bitadze Player Profile
Eurohoops — Goga Bitadze named Adriatic League MVP
Basketball Reference — Goga Bitadze Stats