NBA to celebrate Croatian heritage in Washington, D.C. again
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
(Photo: ACAP)
Croatian Heritage Night will return to Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. for a second consecutive year on Monday, January 19, as the Washington Wizards host the Los Angeles Clippers in a 3:00 PM matchup.
The game takes place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday, providing an opportunity for families and community members to attend together.
Hosted by the ACAP DC Chapter, the 2nd Annual Croatian Heritage Night highlights Croatian culture and the contributions of Croatian athletes to professional basketball.
The event will feature Ivica Zubac, a center for the Los Angeles Clippers and a regular member of the Croatian national team.
A portion of ticket sales associated with the event will benefit the ACAP Foundation, which supports educational and professional development programs for Croatian and Croatian American students and professionals.
(Photo: ACAP)
Croatia has a longstanding basketball tradition that has influenced the sport at both the European and NBA levels.
That history is closely associated with Dražen Petrović, widely regarded as one of Europe’s greatest players and a pioneer for European athletes in the NBA, and Toni Kukoč, a three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls during the 1990s.
Their success helped establish Croatia as a consistent producer of high-level basketball talent.
Shirt giveaway at Croatian Heritage Night
Ivica Zubac was born in Mostar and raised in Čitluk, where he began his basketball development before continuing his career in Croatia. Selected 32nd overall in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, Zubac joined the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019 and has since become a reliable presence in the league, known for his rebounding, efficiency, and interior defense.
He continues to represent Croatia in international competition.
Other Croatian players have maintained a strong NBA presence in recent years. Dario Šarić, a versatile forward, has contributed to multiple NBA teams while remaining active with the Croatian national program.
Karlo Matković represents a younger generation of Croatian players working to establish itself at the professional level, while recently retired Bojan Bogdanović spent more than a decade in the NBA and is recognized as one of Croatia’s most accomplished scorers at the league level.
Former NBA player and Croatian national team member Damjan Rudež remains connected to the sport through his role on the ACAP Advisory Council, where he contributes to mentorship and community engagement initiatives.
Croatian Heritage Nights have become increasingly common across the United States, appearing in professional leagues such as the NBA, NHL, and MLS.
(Photo: ACAP)
These events provide a setting for Croatian communities and the broader public to recognize cultural heritage, athletic achievement, and the role of sport in bringing people together.
In Washington, D.C., where the Croatian community is shaped by diplomatic, academic, and professional connections, Croatian Heritage Night serves as an opportunity to gather and maintain cultural ties.
Now in its second year, the event continues to develop as a recurring part of the city’s sports and cultural calendar.
The Wizards-Clippers game on January 19 at Capital One Arena marks the continuation of that tradition.
Tickets are available at https://www.gofevo.com/event/2526-croatianwiz
About ACAP
The Association of Croatian American Professionals (ACAP) is an international organization that connects Croatian and Croatian American professionals, students, and leaders across industries, with a focus on professional development, education, and community engagement.
