Orlando Magic Center Goga Bitadze 'Enjoys Every Game'
ORLANDO - After Orlando Magic starting center Wendell Carter Jr. went down with an injury early in the season, Goga Bitadze was asked to step up into a bigger role.
Since then, Bitadze has thrived as the Magic's main center, helping the team to a 15-7 record including most recently a win over the Detroit Pistons.
"They really make it easy and we as a group," Bitadze said. "Think we show that you know we work really hard and we deserve this. I think these guys deserve a lot more than this. So for me personally I'm enjoying everything you know, even bad games. You learn a lot from it. So you got to enjoy every single game."
Against the Pistons, he recorded 13 points, eight rebounds and four blocks in 28 minutes and was a +32 for the game. Orlando is now 12-5 without Carter Jr. thanks to Bitadze's play in his absence.
Goga Bitadze is averaging a career-high 1.6 blocks per game for the Orlando Magic.
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
He was drafted by the Indiana Pacers with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Georgia. Bitadze spent three full seasons with the Pacers, averaging 11.5 minutes per game before being waived in his fourth season.
The Magic wasted no time signing him after Indiana let him go, adding him to the roster just four days after he was waived.
This season, Bitadze is averaging 7.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 blocks in 20.6 minutes. At 24 years old, he is the youngest center on Orlando's roster, just narrowly beating out Carter Jr.
Bitadze and the Magic will be back in action at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.
