Croatian basketball player Bojan Bogdanović has allegedly agreed to join Utah Jazz for the next NBA season, with a contract worth 73 million USD, reports HRT on July 1, 2019.

This would be Bogdanovć’s fourth NBA team after the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers. Media reports claim that Bogdanović will sign a contract with Utah for four years. 

Recall, Bogdanović’s career in the NBA began with three years in Brooklyn, from 2014 to February 2017, followed by a move to Washington. In July of 2017, he signed a two-year contract with the Indiana Pacers.

Utah could be dangerous next season ?

Bojan Bogdanovic has agreed to a $4-year, $73M deal with the Jazz, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/GXNKpVQNyZ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 30, 2019

In 399 games played in the NBA, Bogdanović has an average of 13.3 points and 3.4 rebounds. Last season, the Croatian representative played 81 games and reached an average of 18 points per game, 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists, while his average for three-pointers was 42.5 percent.

In other NBA transfer news, Mario Hezonja has allegedly agreed on a move from the New York Knicks to the Portland Trail Blazers where he should sign a two-year contract. After the first season, the 24-year-old Dubrovnik native can terminate the agreement, ESPN said. Hezonja’s contract is worth over a million dollars per season, as it is the minimum NBA wage for players with four years of experience in the highest-quality basketball league in the world.

Mario Hezonja has agreed to a 1-year, minimum deal with the Blazers, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/ycSxDffZhX

— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) July 1, 2019

After spending four seasons in the Eastern Conference, where he played for the Orlando Magic for the first three years and moved to the New York Knicks for the 2018/19 season, Hezonja will head to the West and join the team that made it to the conference finals last year, though they lost all four games to the Golden State Warriors.

Last year, Hezonja played 58 games for the Knicks, 24 of which he started in the top five and spent 20.8 minutes on average on the court. In that time, he averaged 8.8 points, with 41.2 percent of shots in play, out of which three-pointers accounted for 27.6 percent. He also averaged 3.0 rebounds with 1.3 assists.

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Two days ago, Mario Hezonja became only the second Croatian basketball player after Toni Kukoč to hit a triple-double in the NBA league. Now, he’s set a new career record. 

Mario Hezonja played another great game in the New York Knicks jersey. The Croatian basketball player found a place in the starting lineup and made his debut as a point guard for the New York club. But better yet, he also achieved the first triple-double of his career against James Harden's Houston Rockets, reports Gol.hr on April 6, 2019. 

Apart from making his debut as the Knicks’ point guard on Friday night, with a spot in the starting five, Mario Hezonja achieved the first triple-double of his career with 16 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists. The Knicks’ might have lost to the Houston Rockets (120:96), but it’ll be a game Hezonja will remember for a lifetime.

"Super Mario" has thus become only the second player in Knicks’ history with at least 16/16/11 in a single game. Before he was only Richie Guerin in 1957. It was also the first triple-double of a Knicks’ player after Jarrett Jack’s on January 11, 2018, and he even became the first Croatian after Toni Kukoč with a triple-double performance. 

"He had a great game, organized us, called for real attacks, attacked when he had to attack and did a great job on rebounds,” Knicks coach David Fizdale said.

Harden had a relatively quiet evening for his standards lately. He still scored 26 points and eight assists in just 29 minutes on the court, while Chris Paul (11 points, 10 assists) and Clint Capela (12 points, 15 rebounds) achieved double-doubles.

Hezonja was given a chance to start as the point guard as Emmanuel Mudiay is out for a left shoulder injury. Hezonja showed he was indeed worthy of his spot on the Knicks' team. 

Dario Šarić scored 19 points (4/6 for two-pointers, 2/4 for three-pointers, 5/5 free throws) in the Minnesota Timberwolves' win against Miami Heat (111:109).

Ante Žižić scored 12 points with six rebounds in the Cleveland Cavaliers' close defeat to the Western Conference leader Golden State Warriors, led by Steph Curry with 40 points, seven assists and six rebounds. The Warriors celebrated 120:114.

Dragan Bender’s Phoenix Suns won against the New Orleans Pelicans after extra time 133:126 (117-117). The Croatian scored 11 points and added six assists and 10 rebounds. The most efficient was Jackson with 35 points, nine assists and five rebounds.

Ivica Zubac scored 11 points in the derby of the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers and added eight rebounds. 

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Croatian basketball player Mario Hezonja played the best match of his NBA career against his former team, Orlando Magic. Despite the New York Knicks defeat (114:100), coach David Fizdale praised Hezonja after the game and revealed that he was the one to motivate the Croatian player.

The Los Angeles Clippers celebrated at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks 124:113 in the first match of the Sunday NBA program. In the battle of two Croatian basketball players, Clippers’ center Ivica Zubac was better than Marijo Hezonja, reports Index.hr on March 24, 2019. 

Both were members of their team’s starting lineup on Sunday. Zubac spent 20 minutes in the game, and during that time scored 10 points with 4/5 shots in play, ten rebounds, one assist, and one block. Hezonja was on the court for 25 and a half minutes, scoring six points (2/9 shots in play, 0/3 three-pointers), and added five rebounds, three assists, and one block.

The Clippers’ 44th win this season was led by Lou Williams who scored 29 points and seven assists, Danilo Gallinari with 26 points and eight rebounds and Montrezl Harrell with 24 points. In their 60th defeat this season, Knight Emmanuel Mudiay scored 26 points, and DeAndre Jordan had 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Knicks. 

The Clippers have almost and theoretically secured the playoffs while New York is at the bottom of the charts with convincingly the worst record in the NBA league this season.

In other NBA news, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dario Šarić defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 112:99, while the Croatian basketball player participated with 11 points (shots in play 3/9, three-pointers 3/6), four rebounds, three assists, and one steal and one block.

The top scorer for Minnesota, which broke a series of five defeats, was Karl-Anthony Towns with 33 points and 23 rebounds. Andrew Wiggins added 22 points and Josh Okogie 17. Mike Conley led Memphis with 23 points.

The Phoenix Suns and Dragan Bender recorded another defeat over the weekend, losing 112:103 to the Sacramento Kings. Bender, who played in the starting lineup, hit four baskets (shots in play 2/6, three-pointers 0/3) in 36 minutes on the court, adding four rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Bojan Bogdanović had another stellar game over the weekend, scoring 35 points in his Pacers’ win against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. The Croatian also added six rebounds and three assists. Ante Žižić’s Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 127:105. 

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Four Croatian basketball players appeared on the NBA court Friday night. The most efficient of them was Dario Šarić, who scored 9 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal in the Minnesota Timberwolves defeat to New Orleans (117:122), reports HRT on February 9, 2019. 

The Pelicans were led by Anthony Davis, who played after a three-week break and managed 32 points and nine rebounds. Jrue Holiday added 27 and Kenrich Williams 19. For Minnesota, Karl-Anthony Towns was again the best with 32 points. 

Mario Hezonja received excellent playing time for the New York Knicks against the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons celebrated 120:103, though the Dubrovnik native scored eight points, with seven rebounds, one assist and two steals. This was the 15th consecutive defeat for the Knicks. 

The winning team was led by Andre Drummond who scored 29 points and 20 rebounds, and Blake Griffin who managed 26. The best for the Knicks was Dennis Smith Jr. with 31 points.

Ante Žižić’s team also suffered a defeat. The Cleveland Cavaliers lost away in Washington 106:119. Žižić managed six points, one rebound, and one block. Bobby Portis was the most effective for Washington with 30 points, while Bradley Beal added 25 points and 13 assists. Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson led Cleveland with 27 and 24 points. 

Current champions the Golden State Warriors defeated the Suns in Phoenix 117:107, which is the 13th consecutive defeat for the Suns. Dragan Bender achieved only two points for the hosts but added six rebounds and five assists.

Klay Thompson led the winners with 25 points, while Kelly Oubre Jr. was the best for Phoenix with 25 points. 

Bojan Bogdanović’s Indiana Pacers will face Ante Žižić’s Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night in Indiana, while Ivica Zubac’s new team the LA Clippers will face the Boston Celtics away. 

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It was another excellent evening in the NBA for Croatia’s young basketball stars Ivica Zubac and Ante Žižić.

The young Croatian center Ivica Zubac had the best night of his career against Oklahoma City Thunder where his Los Angeles Lakers celebrated 138:128 in extra time. The 21-year-old from Čitluk scored 26 points in the victory with 12/14 shots in play and 12 rebounds - and 16 of those points were achieved in the last quarter and extra time, reports T.portal on January 18, 2019. 

In addition to Zubac, who dominated in the direct duel with New Zealander Steven Adams (17 points and 15 rebounds), the best on the Lakers was Kyle Kuzma with 32 points and Lonzo Ball with 18 points and ten rebounds.

The best Lakers player, LeBron James, who was injured on Christmas, is still not ready to play, though he continues helping from the sideline with advice and support for the young players, including young Zubac.

Zuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!!!! @ivicazubac

— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 18, 2019

Lakers coach Luke Walton commented on Zubac’s game:

“He was powerful in the game and was really good with his soft shot. His teammates were constantly looking for him. When he got the ball near the hoop was very good. But, he's growing and becoming more and more physically powerful. Everyone has made their contribution today. It is difficult to win here, because you’re playing against a team for the playoffs,” said a delighted Walton who has been increasingly using Zubac on the court. Hopefully, his future is guaranteed in Los Angeles. 

We should also mention that Zubac had a net rating of +35 (+/- rating) which, in the history of Lakers, was only done by a handful of players (and only Kobe Bryant is in front of him).

'The whole has been season great. Every time he has a minute, his contributions are huge. Today he got the chance and did not get tired at all. I'm proud of him,” said Zubac’s teammate Lonzo Ball.

In other NBA news, the Indiana Pacers were convincingly defeated by Philadelphia 120:96 at home. From the middle of the second quarter, the Sixers took control of the result and systematically increased their advantage by the end of the game.

Bojan Bogdanović did not have a great night and finished the game with 9 points and 3/11 shots in play. 

Dragan Bender stayed on the bench in the Phoenix loss to Toronto, and in the Washington and New York duel at London's O2 Arena, Mario Hezonja played for 19 minutes, caught six rebounds but missed all four shots.

Ante Žižić was the most effective for his Cleveland Cavaliers who lost to the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City, while Dario Šarič had yet another poor game in the loss of his Minnesota Timberwolves.

Žižić achieved a double-double in 35 minutes, scored 15 points with ten rebounds and had one steal and one block. Šarić played 28 minutes and scored only two points with 1/5 shots in play. He achieved seven rebounds and two steals.

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Croatian representatives Bojan Bogdanović, Mario Hezonja, and Dario Šarić were remarkable for their NBA teams on Tuesday night. 

Bojan Bogdanović and Dario Šarić were again great for their teams last night, though both the Indiana Pacers and Minnesota Timberwolves were unable to pull a victory. The Houston Rockets, on the other hand, have set a new NBA record for the number of three-pointers scored, reports HRT on December 20, 2018. 

The Indiana Pacers played away in Toronto where they lost 99-96 to the Raptors. Fred VanVleet scored 25.9 seconds before the end for the Raptors’ win.

Toronto came back from 17 points behind. The team was led by Kawhi Leonard who scored 28 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals. Pascal Siakam added 17 points with seven rebounds, and Greg Monroe scored 13 points and eight rebounds.

The best for Indiana, who tallied their second defeat in a row, was Victor Oladipo with 20 points, while Bogdanović was the second best with 18 points in 33 minutes on the court (shots in play 7/13, three-pointers 3/6). Bogdanović added five rebounds, an assist and two steals.

The Minnesota Timberwolves were defeated at home 129-123 after the Detroit Pistons won in extra time. The best on the Pistons was Blake Griffin who finished with 34 points, and Reggie Bullock who had 33.

Andre Drummond, who scored 16 points and had the same number of rebounds, took the game to extra time after scoring in the final second of regular time. 

The best for Minnesota was Derrick Rose who scored 33 points and seven assists, while Robert Covington added 22. Dario Šarić, however, was excellent for the Timberwolves, scoring 15 points in 32 minutes on the court (shots in play 6/10, three-pointers 2/5), with six rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Mario Hezonja and Ante Žižić both had time on the court last night, while Dragan Bender did not play for the Phoenix Suns.

The New York Knicks suffered a defeat in Philadelphia, losing 131-110 to the 76ers. Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 24 points and 10 rebounds, which is his 28th double-double this season. Ben Simmons achieved his fourth triple-double with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.

Tim Hardaway Jr. was the most effective for New York with 27 points, while Hezonja scored only two from free throws in four minutes on the court.

The Charlotte Hornets were better than Cleveland Cavaliers, winning 110-99 at home. The Hornets were led by Kemba Walker who scored 30 points.

The Cavaliers were led by Jordan Clarkson who scored 20 points, while Ante Žižić scored seven (shots in play 3/4) with four rebounds and two blocks in 16 minutes on the court. 

The Phoenix Suns played away in Boston to win 111-103. Not even Kyrie Irving could help the Celtics, who scored 29 points and ten assists.

The Houston Rockets set a new NBA record last night, according to the number of three-pointers achieved in a single game. In the 136-118 victory over the visiting Washington Wizards, the Rockets achieved 26 three-pointers out of 55 attempts.

James Harden finished the game with 35 points, of which six were three-pointers. Chris Paul scored 21 points with eight assists, and Clint Capel scored 20 points with 12 rebounds. The best for Washington was Bradley Beal with 28 points.

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