2016 NBA Draft Prospects: Breaking Down NBA Future of Croatia’s Ante Zizic

NBA scouts won’t have to dig deep to discover Ante Zizic. Brother of Andrija, a longtime veteran overseas, Ante is also Cibona’s leading scorer and the Adriatic League’s co-leader in rebounding.

He’s one of the most productive and efficient young prospects abroad, and he’s only 19 years old.

Between the numbers and a body that stands out under the NBA lens, Zizic has thrust his way into 2016’s first-round conversation.

Though he may appeal to teams looking to stash a player overseas, he does have an NBA buyout with Cibona over the summer, according to his agent.

  

Relevant Stats

The fact Zizic shoots at least 60 percent in two different leagues highlights quality shot selection. He doesn’t take the ones he can’t make.

When you include his 14 FIBA Europe Cup games, he winds up with a rebounding percentage of 19.6 in 2015-16, per RealGM.com. Among potential first-rounders, he trails only Gonzaga’s Domantas Sabonis and North Carolina’s Brice Johnson.

On the negative side, he’s registered below-average assist, steal and shot-blocking rates.

 

Strengths

Listed at 6’11”, 254 pounds with a 7’3″ wingspan, there aren’t any questions over Zizic’s physical tools for the center position. He uses every ounce of strength and inch of length, along with some impressive mobility. Though not particularly explosive, he has some bounce off one foot.

Zizic picks up buckets by rolling, diving, cutting and crashing the offensive glass. He’s more of a finisher than a scorer, though he does an excellent job of positioning himself for opportunities off the catch or from loose balls.

With space in front of him, he can use a dribble to get closer to the hoop and convert …

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