Six Croatians in 2017-8 NBA Season

Dario Saric (Photo: Philadelphia 76ers)

The 2017–18 NBA season, which will be the 72nd season in its history, begins on 17 October 2017.

Once again there will be a strong Croatian presence this season with 6 players involved, the second highest number of players from Croatia in one season since Croatia’s independence.

There were nearly a record-equalling 7 players this season, but Orlando Magic released Damjan Rudez. There is just one Croatian rookie this year, Cleveland Cavaliers centre Ante Zizic.

Ante Zizic presented by the Cleveland Cavaliers (Screenshot)

Bojan Bogdanović (Indiana Pacers) Dario Šarić (Philadelphia 76ers), Dragan Bender (Phoenix Suns), Ivica Zubac (Los Angeles Lakers) and Mario Hezonja (Orlando Magic) round off the Croatian contingent in the NBA this season.

Mario Hezonja (photo credit/NBA)

Ivica Zubac (Photo: LA Lakers / Twitter)

Bojan Bogdanovic (Photo: Fiba.com)

Australian international Andrew Bogut, who will play for Los Angeles Lakers this season, also has Croatian heritage.

Dragan Bender (Photo: HKS)

All Croatian NBA players
Drazen Petrovic (Portland, New Jersey; 1989-93)
Stojko Vrankovic (Boston, Minnesota, LA Clippers; 1990-99)
Toni Kukoc (Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Milwaukee; 1993-06)
Dino Rada (Boston; 1993-97)
Zan Tabak (Houston, Toronto, Boston, Indiana; 1994-01)
Bruno Sundov (Dallas, Indiana, Boston, Cleveland, New York; 1998-05)
Dalibor Bagaric (Chicago; 2000-03)
Gordan Giricek (Memphis, Orlando, Utah, Philadelphia, Phoenix; 2002-08)
Zoran Planinic (New Jersey; 2003-06)
Mario Kasun (Orlando; 2004-06)
Damir Markota (Milwaukee; 2006/07)
Roko Ukic (Toronto, Milwaukee; 2008-10)
Damjan Rudez (Indiana, Minnesota, Orlando; 2014-17)
Duje Dukan (Sacramento; 2015/16)

Players who did not play
Arijan Komazec (Vancouver; 2000/01)
Mate Skelin (Indiana; 1998/99)

The regular season will end on April 11, 2018, and the playoffs will begin on April 14, 2018.