Ivica Zubac says he would love to go to the NBA from next season if drafted

Ivica Zubac is considered one of the biggest prospects in Europe for the next draft. We had the opportunity to make a quick chat with him, where we talked about his decision to enter NBA draft and the upcoming post season with Mega Leks.

Zubac told us that if he'll get drafted, he'd love to go to the NBA right away.

"I have decided to enter NBA draft this year and if I get drafted, I would like to go to the NBA right away. NBA has always been my dream, I can't wait to play there and prove myself on the biggest basketball stage in the world," Zubac told Sportando.

The Croatian big-man born in 1997 started the season with Cibona Zagreb but he left the team after not getting paid properly. Then he joined Cedevita Zagreb but Croatian federation didn't allow him to play there. So he decided to move to Mega Leks in order to get ready for the NBA draft.

Zubac is currently projected as a late first-rounder in the next draft. He could be the 24th pick in the draft, according to DraftExpress mock draft, which is considered the most reliable mock draft out there.

"Zubac is one of the best big-men in this year's draft and he has very high upside," an NBA scout told Sportando. "Even though he didn't play a lot on senior level, he showed his skills and potential last summer in tournaments he played with Croatian National Teams, such as in FIBA U19 World Championship and U18 European Championship," the scout told Sportando. "I'd be very surprised if he'll fall to the second round. I think that one of those teams drafting between 20-25 will take him".

Zubac averaged 17.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game during the U19 World Championship in Greece last summer. Zubac had also amazing stats at U18 European Championships, where he averaged 15.8 points, 12.9 rebounds and 3 blocks per game.

Zubac will play in Serbian league playoffs that will start from May 7th with Mega Leks.

"I have already played some exhibition games with Mega Leks and now I'll play in the playoffs. I know that because of injuries and because of the situation with Cibona I haven't played much this season. For this reason I'd like to play in those games during playoffs rather than going to the NBA draft combine," Zubac told us. 

The big-man is interested in having several workouts with teams that will show interest before the draft in the United States.