Croatia, a great nation of merely over 4 million people, has left quite a mark on the basketball world.
With a vibrant basketball tradition and a passion that’s put European basketball on the map, Croatia has produced some of the best NBA players outside the U.S.
From the legendary Dražen Petrović to the most powerful men and most elite sharpshooters who’ve followed in his footsteps, Croatian players have made their presence felt in the league.
In the midst of the praise, let’s count down the top 5 greatest Croatian basketball players in the NBA.
Exploring what puts them in a league of their own and celebrating their accomplishments.
Toni Kukoč
NBA Ranking: #418
There could be some debate on who are the greatest Croatian basketball players, but there’s no denying that none comes close to Toni Kukoč’s achievements in the NBA.
The Croatian sensation began his professional career playing for KK Jugoplastika and Benetton Treviso before being drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1990. However, he didn’t debut for Chicago until 1993, when the side had just finished its first three-peat.
Regardless of this, Kukoč made sure to win Chicago over the second he stepped on the court.
The 6-foot-11 is renowned for his passing ability and versatility. It’s no shock that the Croatian became a pivotal contributor to the Bulls’ second three-peat.
In the end, none among Croatian NBA players have better achievements than Kukoč himself. Even often regarded as the best NBA players from overseas.
He also won a silver medal with the Croatia basketball national team at the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona.
Achievements/Resumé:
- 3× NBA Champion.
- 1× NBA Sixth Man Of The Year.
- 1× NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Dražen Petrović
NBA Ranking: #1051
Achievements aside, Dražen Petrović is often regarded as the greatest Croatian basketball player in NBA history.
The 6-foot-5 shooting guard initially achieved considerable success playing professionally in Europe in the 1980s. In search of a bigger arena, Petrović made the move to the NBA to play for the Portland Trail Blazers.
In his rookie year, he had difficulties adapting to life in the NBA, but there was no denying that the Croatian had the talent. During the 1989-90 season, he averaged 7.4 points in 12 minutes per game.
By 1991, after a season of starved game time, Petrović was traded to the New Jersey Nets. The Croatian thrived with the Nets, becoming an instant starter and leader.
His first season with the Nets, they made the playoffs for the first time since 1986. Dražen Petrović’s career stats speak for themselves — 15.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game in the regular season.
Unfortunately, in 1993, Petrović’s life was cut short at the age of just 28. Nonetheless, the Croatian’s legacy lives on.
To this day, there’s not been another Croatian with a bigger impact on the court than Petrović.
Achievements/Resumé:
- 1× All-NBA Third Team.
- No. 3 retired by the Brooklyn Nets.
- Posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
- FIBA’s 50 Greatest Players.
Dino Raďa
NBA Ranking: #1186
Dino Raďa isn’t a name many are familiar with due to the limited time the Croatian spent in the NBA. Nevertheless, he’s still one of the greatest Croatian basketball players in the NBA.
In 1989, just days after the Croatian had won the Eurobasket Championship with Yugoslavia, the then 22-year-old got drafted by the Celtics in the second round as the 40th pick.
Playing alongside 40-year-old Robert Parish, Rick Fox, and Dee Brown, the Croatian averaged 15.1 points and 7.2 rebounds in his rookie season.
While injuries and certain off-court complications resulted in Raďa playing just over three seasons in the NBA, he remained one of the eastern European NBA players pioneering the league.
His abilities on the court ensured that!
Over the 4 years he spent in Boston, Raďa averaged 16.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
Achievements/Resumé:
- 1× NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
- FIBA’s 50 Greatest Players.
- 2× EuroLeague Champion.
- 1× EuroLeague Final Four MVP.
- Greek League Hall of Fame.
Bojan Bogdanović
NBA Ranking: #330
Bojan Bogdanović is arguably the most successful Croatian basketball player in the modern NBA era.
Standing at 6-foot-7, the small forward established himself as one of the league’s best scorers.
Before signing a three-year contract with the Brooklyn Nets, the Croatian played professionally for Real Madrid and Fenerbahçe.
Since making the jump to the NBA, Bogdanović has played for the Nets, Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons, and New York Knicks. That level of longevity doesn’t come without consistency, and that’s exactly what Bogdanović offers.
Besides that, his elite shooting range and ability to score from outside and inside the arc have made him an invaluable asset to many teams.
In the NBA, Bogdanović has averaged 15.6 points, 1.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game in the regular season. He’s also been quite prolific in the playoffs, averaging 13.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.
Achievements/Resumé:
- 1× NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
- 1× Turkish Cup Winner.
- 1× Turkish Supercup Winner.
- 1× Turkish League All-Star.
Dario Šarić
NBA Ranking: #934
Dario Šarić falls under the spectrum of NBA players unlucky enough not to have the accomplishments to back their abilities on the court.
The 6-foot-10 power forward was selected with the 12th overall pick for the Orlando Magic in the 2014 NBA Draft. However, he didn’t get to feature for the side before getting traded to the 76ers.
In Philadelphia, Šarić quickly rose up the ranks, establishing himself as a great scorer and rebounder.
The Croatian’s brilliant all-round skill set and consistent numbers have ensured his stay in the league.
Achievements/Resumé:
- 1× NBA All-Rookie First Team.
- 2× FIBA European Young Player Of The Year.
- 1× Turkish Cup Champion.
- 1× Croatian League Champion.
Conclusion — Making Croatia Proud.
Croatian basketball players in the NBA have left an unforgettable mark on the game as a whole, regardless of the lack of a bonafide superstar.
From Dražen Petrović’s incredible talent and tragic fate to the achievements of Toni Kukoč and Bojan Bogdanović, these players have made their nation and Europe proud.
As the NBA continues to grow, it will be exciting to see how the next generation of Croatian players will impact the league.
FAQs
How did Dražen Petrović die?
Dražen Petrović died in a tragic car accident on the 7th of June, 1993, at just 28 years. He was a passenger on a vehicle driven by a friend who lost control of the wheel on the A3 autobahn in Denkendorf.
Who was the first Croatian player in the NBA?
Dražen Petrović was the first Croatian player in the NBA. However, it’s important to note that his country of birth is Yugoslavia (now Croatia), and he played for the Yugoslavian National team.
