Ivica Zubac Biography Ivica Zubac born March 18, 1997 is a Croatian professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA. He was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft and played for the Lakers until he was traded to the Clippers in 2019. Zubac played a key role in helping the Clippers reach their first-ever Western Conference Finals during the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
Ivica Zubac Biography
Ivica Zubac is a Croatian basketball player currently playing for the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA. His journey, from Croatia’s youth system to becoming an important player for the Clippers, showcases his resilience, growth, and undeniable talent. In the 2016 NBA Draft, Zubac was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers as the 32nd overall pick, making him only the second Croatian player after Kresimir Cosic to be drafted by the prestigious franchise. Despite showing promise early on, Zubac struggled to maintain a consistent role with the Lakers. In February 2019, he was traded to the Clippers, a move that would prove to be a turning point in his career. During the 2022-2023 NBA season, Zubac averaged 10.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game over 76 appearances for the Clippers.
Ivica Zubac Biography Details
Born | 18 March 1997 (age 27) Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Nationality | Croatian |
Listed height | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) |
Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
NBA draft | 2016: 2nd round, 32nd overall pick |
Playing career | 2013–present |
Category | Biography |
About Ivica Zubac
Ivica Zubac is a Croatian professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round in the 2016 NBA draft. He played for the Lakers until the 2019 trade deadline when he was traded to the Clippers.
- Born: 18 March 1997 (age 27 years), Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Current team: LA Clippers (#40 / Center)
- Wingspan: 24 m
- Height: 13 m
- Salary: 17 crores USD (2025)
- Weight: 109 kg
- Dates joined: 7 February 2019 (LA Clippers)
Early Career
Zubac began his career in Croatia, first progressing through the youth ranks at Cibona before spending a season with Zrinjevac in the second division of Croatian basketball during the 2013–14 season. The following year, he joined the senior team at Cibona, where he was part of a promising group of prospects that included Nik Slavica and Ante Žižić, following the departure of Dario Šarić. Zubac played in the A-1 League, Croatia’s top-tier division, and the ABA League, and also participated in the FIBA Europe Cup in his second season. In February 2016, due to financial issues at Cibona, Zubac signed with Mega Leks in Serbia.
Personal life
Ivica Zubac was born in Mostar and raised in Čitluk, a town in Bosnia and Herzegovina near the Croatian border. He holds Croatian citizenship. Zubac is also related to former NBA player Zoran Planinić, who is his cousin.
Los Angeles Lakers
Zubac was selected 32nd overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Draft. He signed with the team in July and joined the Lakers for the 2016 NBA Summer League. Zubac made his NBA debut on November 2, 2016, scoring six points in a victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Over the course of his rookie season, Zubac had a standout game on January 17, 2017, against the Denver Nuggets, posting a double-double with 11 points and a team-high 13 rebounds, in addition to three blocked shots.
He followed up with a season-high four blocked shots and 10 points in a close loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on March 12, 2017. The next night, he scored a career-high 25 points on 12-of-15 shooting, along with 11 rebounds, in another loss to the Nuggets. Zubac was later sidelined for the remainder of the season after suffering a high ankle sprain in late March. During his rookie year, Zubac also spent time with the Los Angeles D-Fenders, the Lakers’ D-League affiliate.
Zubac’s Earnings
Ivica Zubac is on a three-year contract worth $32.8 million guaranteed, with an average annual salary of $10,933,333. For the 2024-25 season, his salary is $10,933,333. If you break it down to a per-minute rate, Zubac makes about $20.80 for every minute played, based on the 525,600 minutes in a year.
Career Earnings
By the end of the 2024-25 NBA season, Zubac’s total career earnings will amount to approximately $45.5 million.
Contract Terms
Zubac’s current contract is straightforward, with no additional clauses. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2024-25 NBA season.
Ivica Zubac’s Contract Breakdown
Season | Base Salary | SigningBonus | Cap Hit | Dead Cap | Yearly Cash |
2022-23 | $10,123,457 | – | $10,123,457 | – | $10,123,457 |
2023-24 | $10,933,333 | – | $10,933,333 | – | $10,933,333 |
2024-25 | $11,743,210 | – | $11,743,210 | – | $11,743,210 |