Ivica Zubac Bio
Ivica Zubac is a Croatian professional basketball player who has established himself as a reliable center in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on 18 March 1997 in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zubac was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft with the 32nd overall pick. Throughout his career, he has developed into a consistent double-double threat, known for his rebounding prowess and defensive presence. He has represented the Croatian national basketball team internationally and has been a key contributor for every team he has joined in his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Zubac was born in Mostar, a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and grew up in Čitluk, located just east of the Croatian border. He holds dual citizenship but identifies fully as Croatian. Growing up in the region, Zubac developed his basketball skills at a young age, showing promise as a tall and athletic center. His family background includes a basketball connection through his cousin, former NBA player Zoran Planinić, who was also born in Mostar and had a notable professional career in Europe and briefly in the NBA.
Path to Professional Basketball
Zubac came through the youth system of Cibona, one of Croatia’s most prestigious basketball clubs. He began his professional career with Zrinjevac in the second Croatian division during the 2013–14 season, gaining valuable playing time and experience. He earned a spot on Cibona’s men’s team the following season, joining a group of promising prospects that included Nik Slavica and Ante Žižić following the departure of Dario Šarić. Playing in Croatia’s top-tier A-1 League and the ABA League during his first year, Zubac showcased his potential against experienced professional players. In his second year with Cibona, he also saw action in the FIBA Europe Cup.
In February 2016, Zubac left Cibona due to the team’s financial difficulties and signed with Mega Leks of Serbia, continuing his development in a new league and environment. His strong performances in the Serbian league and in European competitions caught the attention of NBA scouts, leading to his selection in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Ivica Zubac Career
Los Angeles Lakers (2016–2019)
On 23 June 2016, Zubac was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 32nd overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. He signed with the team on 7 July and joined the Lakers for the 2016 NBA Summer League, where he demonstrated his skills against other rookies and young players. Zubac made his NBA debut on 2 November 2016, scoring six points as a fill-in starter for Timofey Mozgov in a 123–116 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. After appearing in only 10 NBA games over the first half of his rookie season, he recorded his first double-double on 17 January 2017 against the Denver Nuggets, scoring 11 points and grabbing a team-high 13 rebounds while also blocking three shots in a hard-fought game.
Zubac continued to develop his game throughout his rookie season. He recorded a season-high four blocked shots on 12 March 2017 against the Philadelphia 76ers, and the following night delivered his best performance of the year with a career-best 25 points on 12-of-15 shooting to go with 11 rebounds in a loss to the Denver Nuggets. Unfortunately, he was ruled out for the rest of the season on 31 March 2017 due to a high ankle sprain in his right ankle. During his rookie season, Zubac had multiple assignments with the Los Angeles D-Fenders, the Lakers’ D-League affiliate, where he could gain additional playing time and experience. During the 2017–18 season, he again had multiple assignments with the South Bay Lakers due to limited playing time in the regular NBA season.
Los Angeles Clippers Era (2019–2026)
On 7 February 2019, Zubac and Michael Beasley were traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Mike Muscala. This trade marked a significant turning point in his career, as he became a key member of the Clippers’ rotation during the final stretch of the season and reached the playoffs for the first time in his career. Following the season, Zubac re-signed with the Clippers on a four-year, $28 million contract, securing his place with the franchise.
During the 2019–20 season, Zubac posted a season-high 15 rebounds in just 20 minutes of play against the Sacramento Kings on 22 February 2020. He shot a perfect 6 for 6 from the field and made a season-high 17 points while collecting 12 rebounds in a win over the Houston Rockets on 5 March. On 6 August 2020, he posted 21 points and 15 rebounds on 100% shooting in only 24 minutes during a 126–111 victory against the Dallas Mavericks, becoming the first player in the shot clock era to accomplish 20 or more points and 15 or more rebounds on 100% shooting in under 30 minutes of playing time.
On 15 February 2021, Zubac scored a season-high 22 points alongside grabbing eight rebounds in a 125–118 win over the Miami Heat. He recorded a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds in a 100–98 victory against the Detroit Pistons on 14 April. The 2021 NBA Playoffs proved to be a defining moment for Zubac and the Clippers organization, as he helped the team reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.
On 19 January 2022, Zubac scored a career-high 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds during a dramatic 130–128 overtime loss against the Denver Nuggets. During the 2021–22 NBA season as a whole, he started a career-high 76 games and averaged 10.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, both career highs at that point. On 28 June 2022, Zubac signed a three-year, $33 million contract extension with the Clippers. Later that year, on 27 November, he put up 31 points and a career-high 29 rebounds in a 114–110 win over the Indiana Pacers.
On 21 April 2024, Zubac scored a playoff career-high 20 points and 15 rebounds in a 109–97 victory against the Dallas Mavericks during the NBA Playoffs. On 30 August 2024, he agreed to a three-year, $58.6 million contract extension with the Clippers, reflecting his importance to the franchise. During the 2024–25 NBA season, Zubac improved significantly, averaging career highs in rebounds and points. On 9 April 2025, he recorded his first career triple-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 134–117 win over the Houston Rockets. He started all 80 of his appearances for Los Angeles during the 2024–25 NBA season, averaging 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. His outstanding defensive performance earned him NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors for the 2024–25 season.
Indiana Pacers (2026–Present)
On 5 February 2026, Zubac and Kobe Brown were traded to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and a second-round pick. Following his trade, head coach Rick Carlisle stated that Zubac would have a delayed debut due to an ankle injury and paternity leave. He started five games for Indiana, logging averages of 11.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. On 26 March 2026, Zubac was ruled out for the season after suffering a fractured rib during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Playing Style and Strengths
Zubac is known for his elite rebounding ability, consistently ranking among the league leaders in offensive and defensive rebounds. Standing at 7 feet tall with a 213-centimeter frame and 240-pound build, he uses his size and positioning to dominate the paint on both ends of the floor. He has shown the ability to score efficiently around the basket, posting several perfect shooting games with 100% field goal percentage while recording double-digit scoring and rebounding totals. His defensive presence includes shot-blocking ability and the capacity to protect the rim against opposing centers. Zubac has demonstrated durability and consistency, starting 76 games in the 2021–22 season and 80 games in the 2024–25 season, showing his reliability as an everyday starter.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Zubac has achieved several memorable milestones. His perfect shooting performance on 6 August 2020, recording 21 points and 15 rebounds on 100% shooting in under 30 minutes, set a historic NBA record in the shot clock era. His first career triple-double on 9 April 2025 demonstrated his all-around capabilities, while his 31-point and 29-rebound performance against the Indiana Pacers showcased his ability to dominate on both ends of the floor. His selection to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2025 represented the recognition of his growth as a defensive player. His 2021 playoff run with the Clippers, helping the franchise reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time, marked the biggest team achievement of his career.
Ivica Zubac Career Statistics Highlights
Zubac has built impressive career statistics across his NBA tenure, consistently improving his numbers each season. His scoring average has risen from single digits early in his career to nearly 17 points per game by the 2024–25 season. His rebounding numbers have similarly climbed, reaching 12.6 per game during his final full season with the Clippers. He has demonstrated durability by appearing in 80 games in multiple seasons and has shown the ability to perform at an elite level in high-stakes playoff situations.
Career Summary
Over his NBA career through the 2025–26 season, Zubac has established himself as one of the most consistent centers in the league. His career averages reflect steady improvement, with his best seasons coming with the Los Angeles Clippers. His ability to record double-doubles consistently, combined with his defensive presence and durability, has made him a valuable asset for any team. His perfect shooting performances and record-setting games have highlighted his efficiency as a scorer and rebounder.
National Team Career
Zubac has represented Croatia at the junior international level throughout his development. He played for the Croatian junior national team during the 2013 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, gaining early experience in international competition. During the 2015 FIBA Under-19 World Championship in Greece, he averaged 17.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, earning All-World Championship Under-19 Second Team honors from eurobasket.com. He also averaged an impressive 15.8 points per game, 12.9 rebounds per game, and 3.0 blocks per game at the 2015 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, making the all-tournament second team. These performances established him as one of Europe’s top young prospects before beginning his professional career in the NBA.
Ivica Zubac Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Zubac comes from a family with basketball connections. His cousin is former NBA player Zoran Planinić, who was also born in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Planinić had a notable professional career, playing in Europe for top clubs and briefly in the NBA with the New Jersey Nets. This family connection to professional basketball likely influenced Zubac’s development and career path from an early age.
Personal Life
On 5 February 2026, the same day Zubac was traded to the Indiana Pacers, his wife Kristina Prišč gave birth to their daughter, Sienna Leina Zubac. The timing of the birth led to a delayed debut for Zubac with his new team as he took paternity leave. Prior to the trade, Zubac resided in Los Angeles during his tenure with the Clippers and maintained a low profile regarding his personal life, focusing primarily on his basketball career and development as a professional athlete.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 NBA season represented a breakout year for Ivica Zubac in many ways. Starting all 80 of his appearances, he posted impressive averages of 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game while shooting efficiently from the field. His improvement in scoring and rebounding from previous seasons drew attention around the league, with Lakers star LeBron James publicly expressing appreciation for Zubac’s development, suggesting he would have liked to have him back on his team. His outstanding defensive performances throughout the season earned him NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors, validating his growth as a two-way player. The season culminated in his first career triple-double on 9 April 2025, a 20-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist performance against the Houston Rockets that demonstrated his expanded offensive skill set. Throughout the season, Zubac showed the durability and consistency that had become hallmarks of his game, establishing himself as one of the premier centers in the NBA and setting the stage for continued success in his career.