The Los Angeles Lakers are very high on the development of Croatian teenager Ivica Zubac, a prospect many believes possessing the potential of becoming the next Marc Gasol in the next two or three years.
Zubac, the 32nd overall pick out of Croatia, turned heads during his Summer League stint with his ability to score at the post, above average shot-blocking ability and terrific motor. He's still a diamond in the rough, yet many scouts are already giddy about the 19-year old's immense upside.
Anthony Brown, who played with Zubac during the Lakers' campaign in Summer League, thinks Zubac's skills-set is comparable to that of All-Star center Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies. Brown added that Zubac's impact of both ends of the floor would make him an important component to the Lakers at this stage of his career.
Lakers beat writer Mike Trudell stated how efficient Zubac has been with his shots the whole Summer League, as he made 62 percent of his shots, including games in which he went 3-for-3, 3-for-3, and 5.foot-6 from the field.
Darius Soriano, on other hand, thinks Zubac is ready to gain significant minutes behind presumptive starting center Timofey Mozgov. Head coach Luke Walton wanted his center to play smart and craft as former Golden State Warriors big man Andrew Bogut, who had been instrumental in the Warriors' two stints in the NBA finals.
Of course it's still Summer League and Zubac has a lot of work to do to earn that minutes in his first season with the Lakers. Then again, scouts are very optimistic of Zubac's development along with other Lakers youngsters over the next three years.
Zubac is expected to spend a week in Croatia before returning to Los Angeles, where he plans to spend the rest of summer bulking up and improving his jumpers. The Lakers coaching staff encourage him to extend his range, making him also a threat just inside the three-point line.