After a dream season in the ACB League, Croatian basketball player Luka Božić is ready for a crucial World Cup qualifier against Latvia and addressed rumors about his national team past and a potential return to Zadar.
Croatian national team player Luka Božić, who shone in Spain's ACB League this season, firmly dismissed old accusations that he avoided playing for the national team ahead of the crucial 2027 World Cup qualifier against Latvia. In an extensive interview, the 30-year-old from Bjelovar said he doesn't care about others' opinions and always follows his own path.
"I'm my own man, and I'll simply do things my way. What people say and talk about is truly irrelevant," Božić stated, reacting to long-standing speculation that former KK Zadar coach Danijel Jusup suggested he not play for Croatia. "Because, as they say, people who talk don't pay your bills, so until they start paying my bills, I won't care. But I also think Danijel Jusup, as a coach, has heard a lot of things, a lot of rumors, and a lot of lies, so I think we really shouldn't pay attention to the comments of those do-gooders."
Božić is coming off the best season of his career. With Granada, which was ultimately relegated from the league, he averaged 16.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. His average efficiency index of 24.3 was the highest in the entire ACB League, earning him a spot on the All-League First Team, alongside Mario Hezonja, who was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP).
During the season, he also tied an 18-year-old record in the Spanish league by recording five consecutive games with a valuation of at least 30 points. "Some records were broken, so I'm really satisfied with that. There are some things I'm not satisfied with. Granada got relegated, and that's something Granada as a city and as a club truly doesn't deserve," commented Božić, who is currently a free agent and close to staying in the ACB League.
The Krešimir Ćosić Hall in Višnjik will host the Croatia vs. Latvia clash on August 27, 2026, and for Božić, it will be a special moment. "Returning to Zadar is always special. It's truly, in my opinion, the most beautiful city in Croatia," said the basketball player who won trophies with KK Zadar. However, he is also aware of the pressure that comes with playing in front of the home crowd.
"Zadar is a double-edged sword, because in Osijek you play without any pressure, while in Zadar the atmosphere is special, and the crowd can sense it; you can't fool them," Božić explained, adding that he will try to make "Zadar the sixth man."
Croatia has a 5-1 record in the qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar, with their only loss coming in overtime against the reigning world and European champions, Germany. Božić is optimistic: "I think very little is missing for us to go to the World Cup in Qatar, especially since we missed the last two."
He added that qualifying for the tournament would be a huge boost: "I think it would mean a lot to all of us-players, staff, fans, people in Croatia-and we will give our all to make it happen."
He also commented on working with NBA players like Ivica Zubac, Karlo Matković, Mario Hezonja, and Dario Šarić. "When they come to practice, you just want to play against them, you want to guard an NBA player, you want them to guard you, so you can improve and push each other," Božić emphasized, specifically congratulating Hezonja on his return to the world's strongest league.
Regarding the atmosphere in the national team under head coach Tomislav Mijatović and sporting director Krunoslav Simon, Božić was realistic: "I think people talk about the national team culture now because we're winning. If we were losing, people would talk differently. But I have no complaints about the sporting director or the coach. They are truly fair, and it's easy to work with them."
Responding to a statement by Zadar player Marko Ramljak, who said he fears to think what the club from Višnjik would look like if Luka Božić and Vladimir Mihailović were combined, Božić didn't hide his desire to one day wear the KK Zadar jersey again. "It would be nice to put on the Zadar jersey again. I think everyone who experienced good times in Zadar wants to return there," he said, adding that it would be hard to replicate the chemistry that existed under coach Jusup, when "players played for less money than they could have earned elsewhere, and we really won a lot of trophies."
When asked which city he feels best in, Božić revealed it's Bjelovar, Zagreb, and Zadar. "In Bjelovar, I have my friends, my crew, and acquaintances. Zagreb is special in a different way; my sister and relatives live there, and the city offers many opportunities. And Zadar is special in a third way; my business, enjoyment, and everything you could want are there," Božić concluded, adding that he can't choose just one city and that he will forever remain on that route.
