Ivica Zubac Bio
Ivica Zubac is a Croatian professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Croatian national basketball team. Standing 7 feet 0 inches tall and weighing around 240 pounds, Zubac plays the center position and has become one of the most reliable traditional big men in the league. He was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 32nd overall pick in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft. Since being traded to the Clippers in February 2019, he has grown into a foundational piece of the franchise, helping Los Angeles reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time in team history during the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
Early Life and Background
Ivica Zubac was born on 18 March 1997 in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Čitluk, a small town just east of the Croatian border, where he spent the majority of his childhood. Growing up in this tight-knit community, he was introduced to basketball at a young age and quickly developed a passion for the game. Although he was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zubac holds dual citizenship and identifies fully as Croatian.
From his earliest years, Zubac displayed the size and coordination that would later define his professional career. His family supported his athletic development, and the youth basketball system in the region gave him a structured path to improve. By the time he reached his early teens, it was clear that he possessed the combination of height, footwork, and basketball IQ needed to pursue the sport at a higher level.
Path to Basketball
Zubac came through the youth ranks of Cibona, one of Croatia’s most prestigious basketball programs, before being loaned to Zrinjevac in the second Croatian division for the 2013–14 season. That loan gave him valuable senior-level experience at a young age and helped him adjust to the physical demands of professional play. The following season, he returned to Cibona and made the men’s team roster, joining a promising group of prospects that included Nik Slavica and Ante Žižić.
During his time with Cibona, Zubac competed in Croatia’s top-tier A-1 League and the Adriatic Basketball Association (ABA) League in his first year, and then added FIBA Europe Cup experience the following season. In February 2016, he left Cibona due to the financial difficulties of the club and signed with Mega Leks of Serbia, a respected club known for developing young NBA talent. That spring, his strong play across multiple competitions convinced NBA scouts that he was ready for the next level, leading to his selection in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Ivica Zubac Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
Zubac’s professional career began in 2013 with Zrinjevac, where he adjusted to the speed and physicality of senior basketball. After one season in the Croatian second division, he moved up to Cibona’s senior squad, where he held his own against older and more experienced players in both the A-1 League and the ABA League. His performance drew early attention from international scouts, and he balanced his club schedule with appearances for Croatia’s junior national teams.
In 2015, Zubac represented Croatia at the FIBA Under-19 World Championship in Greece, averaging 17.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game and earning All-World Championship Under-19 Second Team honors from eurobasket.com. The following summer, he signed with Mega Leks to take on a new challenge in Serbia’s top league, where he further refined his game before declaring for the NBA Draft.
Los Angeles Lakers Breakthrough (2016–2019)
On 23 June 2016, Zubac was selected with the 32nd overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. He signed his rookie contract in July and joined the team for NBA Summer League shortly after. Zubac made his NBA debut on 2 November 2016, scoring six points as a fill-in starter in a win over the Atlanta Hawks. By January 2017, he had recorded his first double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds against the Denver Nuggets, and he later posted a career-best 25 points and 11 rebounds against the same opponent in March 2017.
A high ankle sprain ended his rookie season in late March 2017, and he spent part of that year on assignment with the Los Angeles D-Fenders, the Lakers’ NBA Development League affiliate. Over the next two seasons, Zubac continued to split time between the Lakers and their G League team, the South Bay Lakers, as he worked to earn a consistent role in the NBA rotation.
Los Angeles Clippers Era (2019–Present)
On 7 February 2019, Zubac was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers along with Michael Beasley in exchange for Mike Muscala. The move gave him a fresh start and a more defined role as the team’s starting center. He quickly became a key contributor during the Clippers’ playoff push that spring, and he reached the postseason for the first time in his NBA career with his new team.
In the years that followed, Zubac established himself as one of the league’s most consistent interior players. He posted a career-high 32 points and 10 rebounds against the Denver Nuggets on 19 January 2022, and on 27 November 2022, he recorded 31 points and a career-high 29 rebounds in a win over the Indiana Pacers. On 21 April 2024, he set a playoff career high with 20 points and 15 rebounds against the Dallas Mavericks. On 9 April 2025, Zubac notched his first career triple-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a win over the Houston Rockets. He also earned NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2025, cementing his reputation as one of the top defensive centers in the league.
Driving Style and Strengths
Zubac is known for his traditional center skill set, with a strong emphasis on positioning, rebounding, and rim protection. He excels in the paint on both ends of the floor, using his 7-foot frame and long arms to control the glass and contest shots at the rim. His ability to set solid screens and finish efficiently around the basket has made him a dependable offensive hub, while his defensive awareness allows him to anchor the Clippers’ interior defense.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Zubac’s career came during the 2021 NBA Playoffs, when he helped the Los Angeles Clippers reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history. He also made NBA history on 6 August 2020 by becoming the first player in the shot clock era to record 20 or more points and 15 or more rebounds on 100 percent shooting in under 30 minutes of play, a feat he accomplished in a win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Ivica Zubac Career Wins
While center statistics are not always measured in traditional win totals, Zubac has built a résumé defined by steady production, team success, and individual recognition. Across his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, the South Bay Lakers, and the Los Angeles Clippers, he has contributed to playoff runs, recorded multiple 20-point performances, and been selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2025.
NBA Highlights
Zubac’s most memorable NBA performances include his 32-point game against the Denver Nuggets in January 2022, his 31-point, 29-rebound effort against the Indiana Pacers in November 2022, and his first career triple-double against the Houston Rockets in April 2025. He has also been a steady postseason contributor, highlighted by his 20-point, 15-rebound performance in the 2024 playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks.
Other Wins & Performances
On the international stage, Zubac earned All-World Championship Under-19 Second Team honors from eurobasket.com in 2015 and made the all-tournament second team at the 2015 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship. He was also part of the Croatian junior national team at the 2013 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, laying the foundation for his later success with the senior national team.
Ivica Zubac Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Zubac grew up in a supportive family in Čitluk, where basketball was part of daily life. His most notable family connection in the sport is his cousin, Zoran Planinić, a former NBA player who was also born in Mostar. Planinić played in the NBA and in top European leagues, giving Zubac a direct link to the professional game from an early age.
Personal Life
Off the court, Zubac is known for his quiet and grounded personality. He maintains an active presence on social media, where fans can follow his career and off-court interests. While he keeps most of his private life out of the spotlight, his dedication to his craft and his team-first mentality have made him a respected figure in the Los Angeles community.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NBA season has been one of the most productive of Zubac’s career. Building on his strong 2023–24 campaign, he has continued to serve as the Clippers’ starting center, posting career highs in both points and rebounds per game. His veteran presence and consistency in the paint have been central to the team’s push for a higher seed in the Western Conference.
A highlight of the season came on 9 April 2025, when Zubac recorded his first career triple-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a win over the Houston Rockets. That performance was a milestone moment that underscored his expanded offensive role with the Clippers. He was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team for 2025, recognition of his continued growth as one of the league’s top interior defenders.
Looking ahead, Zubac is locked in with the Los Angeles Clippers on a contract extension signed in August 2024, keeping him in Los Angeles through the 2027–28 season. With the Clippers focused on contending in the Western Conference, Zubac is expected to remain a central figure in the team’s lineup and a steady force on both ends of the floor for years to come.