Croatian College Basketballer Dani Koljanin Named All-American

Dani Koljanin

It has been an outstanding season for young Croatian basketball players in the NBA in America.

Dario Šarić, playing in his first season with the Philadelphia 76ers, is a strong contender for the NBA Rookie of the Year award, whilst 20-year-old rookie Ivica Zubac has been impressive for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Whilst Šarić and Zubac are on fire, another Croatian has been tearing it up in Junior College basketball in America.

20-year-old forward Dani Koljanin has just been selected as one of the best in the entire country.

Originally from Pula in Croatia, Koljanin was just named an NJCAA All-American. He was All-Region, the Region Player of the Year with 13.7 points per game, and led his team Monroe College into the Sweet 16 of the national tournament.

Dani in action

Koljanin posted four double-doubles on the year. He reached double figures in scoring 27 times, including a season-best 29-point surge against Baltimore City Community College back in December. Koljanin also led the team in rebounds per game with 6.4.

The Croatian becomes only the 12th Monroe men’s basketball player to earn All-American honors. The NJCAA All-America Team is an elite group of student-athletes chosen by the members of the NJCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee.

Big honour for the Croatian student

The Monroe College sophomore, who arrived in America two years ago, attended Ekonomska Skola in Pula and will continue his career at Marshall University next season.