Karlo Matkovic

Matkovic is a Croatian center who entered the NBA as a second-round pick in 2022 and has played for the New Orleans Pelicans after a decorated international career that included stops in Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia. He has also represented the Croatia national team in senior competition.

Born on March 30, 2001, in Bosnia and Herzegovina to a Croat family, Matkovic participated in the Jordan Brand Classic camp in 2017 and the Basketball Without Borders Europe camp in Belgrade in 2018. He was promoted to the Cedevita senior team during the 2018-19 season and signed his first professional contract in April 2019. He was loaned to OKK Beograd for the 2019-20 season and to Mega Soccerbet for the 2020-21 season.

Matkovic declared for the 2021 NBA draft but withdrew his name. He declared again in 2022 and was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the 52nd overall pick. He joined Cedevita Olimpija in Slovenia in July 2022 and left in February 2024. On February 22, 2024, he joined the Birmingham Squadron of the NBA G League, and on July 14, he signed with the New Orleans Pelicans. He made his NBA debut on October 23, 2024.

Matkovic has represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at the under-18 level and Croatia at the senior level. He made his debut for Croatia in February 2022 in a 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifier against Sweden.

Matkovic is a mobile center with size, rebounding instincts, and finishing ability around the rim. He scores on lobs, putbacks, and short rolls, and he uses his length to protect the paint. His offensive game is still developing, but his physical tools and international experience make him a situational option.

Matkovic enters each season working to establish consistent NBA rotation minutes after an international apprenticeship and a G League stint. His trajectory from a Bosnian youth player to a Croatian professional and a second-round draft pick reflects physical development and a commitment to expanding his game across multiple leagues.