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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Goals for Ivica Zubac in the 2017-18 season

By Shereen Rayan

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Kyle Kuzma #0 and Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers high-five after Kuzma hit a 3-pointer against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 13, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 94-83. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Kyle Kuzma #0 and Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers high-five after Kuzma hit a 3-pointer against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 13, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 94-83. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 13: Kyle Kuzma /

Los Angeles Lakers second-year center Ivica Zubac can make a splash this season but he needs to improve in at least three areas if he wants to make waves.

Los Angeles Lakers center Ivica Zubac did not play in college in the USA, he is not a one-and-done player. He came up through the youth ranks in Croatia, starting in 2013 KK Cibona, a professional basketball club based in Zagreb, Croatia. Then after KK Cibona had financial issues, he signed with Mega Leks of Serbia. Zubac also saw FIBA Europe Cup action in his second year.

The Lakers drafted Zubac at pick No. 32 in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft. Lakers fans were like, ‘Who? From where?” Then they heard or read about his physical attributes, 7-foot-1, 240 pounds, and then his country of origin, and thoughts of Kristaps Porzingis seeped into fans heads and shortly after the announcement.

NBA Summer League 2016 sealed the deal with Lakers fans when it came to accepting Ivica (pronounced Ivitza). His teammates adored him, you could tell, they fed him the ball for dunks and he also hit a few blocks to roars from Lakers fans who started chanting Zuuuuuuubbbbb in a low voice. Zubac told me he goes by at least two nicknames: Zub and Zublocka.

Zubac spent a lot of the first half of the season playing for the D-Fenders in the D-League (now the South Bay Lakers in the G-League) and he scored a number of double-doubles. He wowed fans with his dunks and asked for the ball constantly, who was Vander Blue or Josh Magette to deny him?

Zubac played for the Lakers most of the second half of the season and remained a fan favorite.

Along came NBA Summer League 2017. The Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma show. But when Ball went down, Vander Blue stepped up and the entire series Alex Caruso showed out! The Lakers won the Summer League tournament and Kuzma and Ball both went home with individual trophies. For Zubac to have a great season, I believe he should have three goals.

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