Ivica Zubac

Zubac is a Croatian center who entered the NBA as the 32nd overall pick in the 2016 draft by the Los Angeles Lakers after a developmental path through Croatia and Serbia. He spent two and a half seasons in Los Angeles before a February 2019 trade moved him to the Clippers, where he anchored the frontcourt for seven seasons and helped the franchise reach its first Western Conference Finals. In February 2026, the Clippers traded him to the Indiana Pacers.

Born on March 18, 1997, in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zubac grew up in Čitluk just east of the Croatian border. He holds dual citizenship but identifies fully as Croatian. He came through the youth system of Cibona and played for Zrinjevac in Croatia's second division during the 2013–14 season before joining Cibona's senior team.

With Cibona, Zubac played in Croatia's A-1 League and the ABA League, and saw action in the FIBA Europe Cup. In February 2016, he left Cibona due to financial difficulties and signed with Mega Leks of Serbia. He represented Croatia at multiple junior levels, averaging 17.6 points and 7.9 rebounds at the 2013 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship and 15.8 points and 12.9 rebounds at the 2015 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship.

The Lakers selected Zubac with the 32nd pick on June 23, 2016, and signed him on July 7. He made his NBA debut on November 2, 2016, scoring six points as a fill-in starter. His rookie season included multiple assignments with the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the D-League and a season-best 25 points and 11 rebounds against Denver on March 13, 2017. He was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a high ankle sprain on March 31, 2017. During 2017–18, he had further G League assignments with the South Bay Lakers due to limited rotation minutes.

On February 7, 2019, the Lakers traded Zubac to the Clippers for Mike Muscala. He became a key rotation piece down the stretch and reached the playoffs for the first time. He re-signed on a four-year, $28 million contract that offseason. In 2020, he posted a perfect 6-for-6 shooting game for 17 points and 12 rebounds against Houston and a 21-point, 15-rebound game on 100% shooting against Dallas. He helped the Clippers reach the Western Conference Finals in the 2021 playoffs. In June 2022, he signed a three-year, $33 million extension. On November 27, 2022, he recorded 31 points and a career-high 29 rebounds against Indiana. On April 9, 2025, he posted his first career triple-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists against Houston. In 2024–25, he started all 80 appearances and averaged 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.

On February 5, 2026, the Clippers traded Zubac to the Indiana Pacers alongside Kobe Brown in exchange for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and a second-round pick. He started five games for Indiana, averaging 11.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, before a fractured rib suffered on March 26 against Portland ended his season.

Zubac is a traditional center with a strong interior presence, rebounding efficiency, and improving passing vision. His size and positioning make him a reliable pick-and-roll target and defensive anchor. His career progression from a second-round project to a full-time starter reflects steady development in finishing, rebounding, and rim protection.

Zubac has represented Croatia at junior and senior levels. Former NBA player Zoran Planinić, also born in Mostar, is his cousin. On February 5, 2026, the same day as his trade to Indiana, his wife Kristina Prišć gave birth to their daughter, Sienna Leina Zubac.