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The History and Future of Ivica Zubac

The first time most NBA fans heard the name "Ivica Zubac" was on June 23, 2016, when the Lakers selected the 7'1" center with the 32nd pick in the Draft.

I remember thinking, "Who?" … and then quickly … "Can he play?"

The latter has revealed a simple answer: "Yup!"

He's got great hands, fundamentally sound post moves, sets explosive screens, rolls hard, and has good defensive instincts at the rim. Zubac has plenty of room to grow in areas like screen/roll defense and with his physique, but he's already made strides.

Zubac's agent told him prior to the Draft that he would have been a Top 10 pick had he waited a year to come out, which isn't hard to buy in hindsight.