Croatian · Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina · Born 18 March 1997Dominant Croatian center whose rebounding, physical play and consistent scoring have made him one of the NBA's most reliable starting big men.
Ivica Zubac was born on 18 March 1997 in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and was raised in Čitluk, a small town where he dreamed of playing for the local Brotnjo club in front of a modest hometown crowd. Though born in Bosnia, Zubac identifies entirely as Croatian, once saying he lives in the part of Bosnia-Herzegovina where Croats are "the proudest in the world." He was invited to a tournament with Croatian powerhouse Cibona at just 13. Zubac progressed through Cibona's youth system and represented Croatia at multiple age-group European Championships, helping the country's under-19 team win a silver medal at the 2015 World Championship, before the Los Angeles Lakers selected him 32nd overall in the 2016 NBA Draft. Zubac was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019, and developed into one of the league's most reliable interior defenders, helping the Clippers reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history in 2021 and earning NBA All-Defensive Second Team honours in 2025. Zubac was traded to the Indiana Pacers in 2026, continuing his career as one of the most productive Croatian players ever to reach the NBA, having built his path from a small Bosnian-Croat community to the league's highest level.
Dominant center play for LA Clippers and Croatian national team
He has been one of the NBA's most efficient starting centers for several seasons at the Clippers, leading them in rebounding and providing a physical, reliable anchor that their roster has been built around.
Did You Know?How They Played
Traditional center with strong post presence and rebounding
Lasting Impact
Key starting center for playoff contending Clippers teams
Career Honours
- LA Clippers starting center
- Croatian national team player
| Club | Period | Apps | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | 2016–2019 | 238 | #40 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 2019–present | 820 | #40 |
Croatian Athletes