Igor Marić (basketball)

Igor Marić (born July 23, 1985) is a Croatian professional basketball player currently playing for Cibona of the ABA League and the Croatian League. Standing at 1.96 m, he plays at the small forward position.

Igor Marić
No. 7 – Cibona
PositionSmall forward
LeagueABA League
Croatian League
Personal information
Born (1985-07-23) 23 July 1985
Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia
NationalityCroatian
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Career information
NBA draft2004 / Undrafted
Playing career2003–present
Career history
2003–2007Dubrava
2007–2008Zabok
2008–2010Dubrava
2010–2011Svjetlost Brod
2011–2012Šentjur
2012–2013Maribor
2013–2014Helios
2014–2017Prievidza
2017–2018Košice
2018–2019Cibona
2019–2020USK Praha
2020–presentCibona
Career highlights and awards

Professional career

Marić grew up in the youth system of Dubrava. He played professionally there until the Summer of 2007, when he moved to Zabok, also playing in the Croatian League. After a season in Zabok he returned to Dubrava, where he spent another two seasons.[1]

The 2010-11 season Marić spent in Svjetlost Brod, where he also played the Balkan League. In the Summer of 2011, Marić moved abroad for the first time. He signed for Šentjur of the Slovenian League. He was one of the leaders of the team and played at the 2012 Slovenian League All-Star game.[2]

In the Summer of 2012, he moved to Maribor. He was one of the leaders of the team that reached the semifinals of the Slovenian League, where they were defeated by Olimpija. The next season he moved to Helios where he played under coach Zmago Sagadin.[3]

Marić moved to the Slovak League in 2014. He played three seasons for Prievidza. In his first season his team lost in the 7th game of the Playoffs Final series of the 2014-15 Slovak League from Komárno. In his next season Prievidza became the champion and Marić won his first trophy. He was also named the best player of the League by website basket.sk.[3]

In September 2016 Marić signed with Zadar.[4] Meanwhile, FIBA banned Zadar on signing new players, so Marić never played an official match for the Croatian club. In October 2016 he returned to Prievidza.[5]

In his third and final season in Prievidza, Marić made his debut in European competitions. In the 2016–17 FIBA Europe Cup, Marić averaged 12.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 12 played matches.[6]

In June 2017, Marić moved to Košice, another club competing in the Slovak League.[7] He helped the club reach the finals of the 2017–18 Slovak League and win the 2018 Slovak Cup.[8]

In August 2018, Marić returned to Croatia by signing with Cibona of the Croatian League and ABA League.[9]

In July 2019, Marić moved to USK Praha of the Czech League.[10] He averaged 11.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. On July 17, 2020, he re-joined Cibona.[11]

Personal life

Marić was born and lived in Banja Luka until 1992, when his family had to flee to Zagreb because of the Bosnian War.[12]

References
  1. "Igor Marić: Cibona je moj dječački san". basketball.hr (in Croatian). 13 August 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  2. "Hrvati u Sloveniji: Štajerska uzdanica – Igor Marić". crosarka.com (in Croatian). 7 October 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  3. "[EKSKLUZIVNO] Igor Marić: U Košicama po drugi naslov". crosarka.hr (in Croatian). 20 July 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  4. "Igor Marić potpisao za Zadar". KK Zadar (in Croatian). 8 September 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  5. "Igor Marić napustio Zadar i vratio se u slovačku Prievidzu". ezadar.rtl.hr (in Croatian). 14 October 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  6. Igor Maric stats in 2016–17 FIBA Europe Cup
  7. "Kosice tabs Igor Maric". eurobasket.com. 3 June 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  8. "Cibona signs Igor Maric". eurobasket.com. 11 August 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  9. "Igor Marić novi član Cibone". KK Cibona (in Croatian). 12 August 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  10. "Na Repešino zadovoljstvo još jedan Cibos napustio redove prvaka". basketball.hr (in Croatian). 21 July 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  11. "Igor Maric returns to Cibona". Sportando. July 17, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  12. "San o igranju u Ciboni ostvario mi se tek s 33 godine". vecernji.hr (in Croatian). 23 October 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
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