Once an overlooked second-round pick, Ivica Zubac has quietly transformed into one of the NBA's premier defensive big men. Now, at 28 years old and anchoring the Clippers' elite defense, the Croatian center is finally getting the recognition he deserves.
Thinking about Ivica Zubac, I remember the first youth tournaments I saw him in, and some scout friends of mine suggested I keep an eye on him because he had great potential.
I also remember the first phone interview I did with him a few months before he was selected in the draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.
It seems like a lifetime ago, and it's even more impressive to think that Zubac is still only 28 and in the prime of his career.
Ivica Zubac's Breakout Season: From Underrated Prospect to Defensive Anchor
This season, the Croatian big man is experiencing his definitive breakthrough, becoming one of the most important big men in the entire NBA.
Not bad for a player who, when he arrived in the NBA, was not considered capable of ever becoming a decent defender.
Things have definitely changed since those days, so much so that today, Zubac is considered one of the main candidates for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
Last summer, the Clippers lost Paul George during free agency. He ended up with the Philadelphia 76ers, and many thought that the Clippers wouldn't be a contender without George and with Kawhi Leonard's physical problems.
However, things have gone quite differently so far.
The Clippers are in the thick of the playoff race and could still qualify directly for the postseason without going through the play-in stage.
A large part of the credit goes to James Harden, who is having a sensational season despite already being 35 years old.
But Zubac has also grown exponentially, becoming a core piece for the Clippers.
The Clippers' Secret Weapon: Zubac's Rise to NBA Elite
The Croatian big man's NBA career began with the Lakers on the other side of LA. The Lakers selected Zubac with the 32nd pick in the 2016 draft.
After a first season where he showed some of his potential, Zubac found fewer minutes in his second year with the Lakers, often ending up being assigned to the G League team to find continuity.
Halfway through his third season with the Lakers, Zubac was traded to the Clippers, together with Michael Beasley, in exchange for Mike Muscala.
In hindsight, that trade was certainly not a great idea for the Lakers, who gave a player with very intriguing potential like Zubac to their LA rivals without obtaining anything specific in return.
Zubac very quickly became a vital member of the Clippers, taking the role of starting center.
And after playing almost 600 NBA games in his career, the time has come for Zubac to take all the credit he deserves.
The growth he has experienced this season has been truly exponential, clearly making it the best season of his career in terms of statistics.
Last summer, Zubac signed a three-year extension with the Clippers worth $58.5 million, and now the Croatian player is repaying the trust shown in him with the best season of his career.
Ivica Zubac Stats: Career-High Numbers in 2025
Last season, the Croatian center had the following numbers: 11.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 0.3 steals per game.
This season, Zubac has improved in basically every stat. The Clippers center averages 16.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 0.7 steals per game.
His offensive growth is certainly noteworthy, but let's focus on the incredible defensive work that Zubac has put in this season.
NBA Defensive Rating Leader: Zubac Tops the Charts in 2025
The Croatian player is currently the best center in the league for defensive rating (107.5 points allowed per 100 possessions), ahead of Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets and Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Coach Lue's Clippers have the third-best defense in the entire NBA, and Zubac has become the anchor of that defense.
Zubac is the player who has captured the most rebounds of anyone in the NBA this season, with a total of 951.
With him on the court, the Clippers have kept their opponents below 100 points on 18 occasions, the second-best figure in the whole of the NBA.
Furthermore, Lue's team has not yet lost a game in which Zubac has made more than one steal.
The former Los Angeles Lakers player also has the third-highest defensive win shares in the entire NBA among players who have played at least 65 games this season, behind only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams of the Thunder.
Zubac's Defensive Masterclass: What Makes Him So Effective
The Croatian player has always shown great pride in his defensive work, and the fact that, after so many seasons, the media also recognize his contribution is certainly a step forward in acknowledging the value of a player who is now increasingly decisive in the Clippers' balance of power.
"It's been a goal of mine for a while, just getting on that All-Defensive team," Zubac said in an interview with Forbes.
"Because I pride myself on that end of the floor. Especially coming into the league, when nobody thought I could defend. I think I've made many improvements on that end," he added.
Although Zubac has never been nominated for an All-Defensive team in recent seasons, it is clear that he has been constantly improving.
Since 2020, Zubac has consistently been one of the best rim protectors in the entire NBA.
With the Croatian player on the court, opponents have reduced their shots at the rim by about 6 percent, one of the best figures in the entire NBA.
Zubac may not be the best shot-blocker in the league, but the opponents respect his presence on the court and are more likely to avoid attacking the rim when he's around.
That's the essence of the defensive formula of the Clippers: no easy shots at the rim and forcing the opponents to take as many mid-range and contested three-pointers as possible.
Zubac's Rim Protection is Powering the Clippers' Playoff Push
One of Zubac's best qualities is that he is extremely disciplined defensively. He doesn't commit many fouls and is always effective in protecting the paint and communicating with his teammates, becoming a sort of conductor of the defense.
Whether it's drop coverage or contesting a mid-range shot, Zubac is always on time, managing to make a huge contribution in the defensive half of the court.
Rebounding, communication with teammates, protecting the rim, and the ability to switch onto smaller players – Zubac has truly become a complete defensive package.
After years in which his contribution was ignored, the time has come for the Croatian player to be recognized for what he has become: one of the best big men in the entire NBA.
If the Clippers are having a top-level season and have become one of the top three defenses in the NBA, much of the credit goes to Ivica Zubac.
Defensive Player of the Year or Most Improved Player of the Year, the Croatian center now deserves your full attention.
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