Croatian Basketball Player Boris Tišma Heads to the US
The former Real Madrid and Zadar player continues his career at the University of Washington, where he will earn around half a million euros annually.
The former Real Madrid and Zadar player continues his career at the University of Washington, where he will earn around half a million euros annually.
Croatian basketball player Boris Tišma (24) has been officially introduced as the newest member of the University of Washington Huskies. The power forward joins a growing contingent of about thirty Croatian players who have moved to the US in recent years, following the NCAA's decision to allow schools to pay athletes.
Tišma arrives from Zadar, where he spent the last season and helped the team reach the domestic league finals against Cibona. In a Zadar jersey, he averaged 10 points and five rebounds per game. At his introductory press conference on August 5, 2026, he explained what drew him to this particular university.
"I talked a lot with the coaches, and I liked their vision as well as the facilities the program has. I'm happy with everything I've seen so far, and I think this was a good decision," Tišma told Index.hr.
He also touched on his goals with the new team, saying he wants to win every game and improve year after year. "I'll give my all for the team, and I think the fans will soon see what my strongest assets are," he added.
In a lighter vein, Tišma revealed what gets him pumped up during pre-game warmups. "Mostly Balkan singers, and I listen to Saša Matić the most," he admitted.
Despite being only 24, Tišma already has a rich career behind him. A Zagreb native, he took his first basketball steps at Dubrava before being spotted and signed by Real Madrid at age 13. He progressed through all the youth ranks with the Spanish giants and made his debut for the senior team.
He left Madrid five years ago and has since played for Real Betis, Studentski Centar, Split, and Zadar. Eight years ago, he was part of the golden Croatian cadet national team, led by Roko Prkačin and Ivan Perasović, which won the European Championship title in Serbia.
He will now continue his development at the American university, where, according to Index.hr, he is expected to earn around €500,000 annually.
