Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s a detailed profile of basketballer Ivica Zubac:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Ivica Zubac
  • Nationality: Croatian
  • Age: Born March 18, 1997
  • Hometown: Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina (grew up in Croatia)
  • Height: 7 feet 0 inches (2.13 meters)
  • Weight: 240 pounds (109 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 4 inches (2.24 meters)
  • Shoe Size: Size 20 (US)
  • Jersey Number: #40
  • Position: Center
  • High School: Not applicable (played professionally in Croatia before the NBA)
  • College: Did not attend (played professionally in Croatia)
  • NBA Draft: 2016, Round 2, 32nd overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers
  • Teams Played For:
    1. Los Angeles Lakers (2016–2019)
    2. Los Angeles Clippers (2019–present)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Children: Not publicly available
  • Siblings: Two brothers (named Mario and Antonio Zubac)

Player Archetype / Play Style

Ivica Zubac’s player archetype is that of a traditional interior anchor center who relies on size, positioning, and efficiency rather than perimeter skill. Defensively, he fills the role of a drop-coverage rim protector and interior rebounder, focusing on contesting shots at the basket, maintaining verticality, and controlling the defensive glass to end possessions. Offensively, Zubac operates mainly as a screen-setting roll man who finishes efficiently around the rim, scores on put-backs, and provides a reliable interior target without needing touches designed for isolation or perimeter play. Physically, he stands around 7’0″ with a strong, broad frame, long reach, and solid lower-body strength that help him hold position in the paint and absorb contact. His overall play style centers on physical interior presence, disciplined positioning, and dependable finishing, making him a steady, low-mistake contributor who supports star teammates through screening, rebounding, and paint defense.

Player Insights

Player Updates: Ivica Zubac delivered one of the most productive stretches of his career during the 2024–25 season with the Los Angeles Clippers, benefiting from extended minutes alongside elite playmaker James Harden. Late in the regular season, Zubac publicly noted that playing with a passer of Harden’s caliber had long been a personal goal, and the on-court chemistry between the two became a defining feature of the Clippers’ offense. Throughout the season, Zubac’s effectiveness as a lob target and interior finisher gained increased recognition, with his efficiency around the rim and reliable screen-setting significantly boosting his overall impact. By the close of the 2024–25 NBA regular season, his consistent production and defensive presence placed him in discussions among the league’s more valuable starting centers. (4/27/2025)

Sources:
Basketball-Reference — Ivica Zubac Stats
NBA.com — Ivica Zubac Bio
Los Angeles Clippers — Ivica Zubac Continues to Anchor Clippers Defense