What to know about Filip Rebraca, Iowa basketball's latest addition in the transfer portal
After plenty of chatter surrounding the transfer portal (for better or for worse), Iowa basketball landed North Dakota graduate transfer Filip Rebraca.
Rebraca started in 74 games during his three years with the Fighting Hawks before announcing his decision to enter his name into the transfer portal on March 25.
Minnesota, Maryland, Iona, Virginia Tech and other programs were all invested in landing Rebraca, but ultimately he opted to enroll in Iowa City.
Here's what Iowa basketball fans need to know about the Hawkeyes' new big man.
Filip Rebraca averaged more than 16 points per game with North Dakota.
The All-Summit League second teamer should fit right into head coach Fran McCaffery's scheme.
"The staff’s primary thing was trying to show me how I could fit in the offense if I went there," Rebraca told the Register. "I was really impressed by the way they play and it seems fun to play that type of basketball."
The forward averaged 16.8 points per game last season with North Dakota, shooting 50.6% from the field and 36.6% from 3-point range. Additionally, Rebraca grabbed 7.6 rebounds per game (1.8 offensive) last year while playing heavy minutes (nearly 32 a game).
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Defensively, Rebraca boasts 76 blocks over his three seasons, which ranks eighth all-time in North Dakota program history.
Rebraca has two years of eligibility remaining.
This might not be a one-and-done deal with the Hawkeyes.
Rebraca has two years of college basketball eligibility left after his time with North Dakota — a graduate season and another due to COVID-19.
Rebraca's dad, Zeljko Rebraca, played in the NBA.
Basketball has always been a part of Rebraca's life, and that starts with his father, Zeljko Rebraca.
Zeljko Rebraca, played in the NBA from 2001 until 2006, spending time with the Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, and Los Angeles Clippers. He was originally drafted by the Seattle Supersonics in 1994, but continued to play in Europe until 2001. Zeljko Rebraca averaged 5.9 points and 3.2 rebounds over his six-year NBA career.
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Rebraca is from Serbia.
The newest Hawkeye hails from Sombor, Serbia.
Technically, he was born in Italy and moved around during his father's professional career, but Rebraca lists Serbia as his home country.
Rebraca told the Jamestown Sun that he keeps his roots close, as when he feels the need to argue with an official over a call, he does so in Serbian.
“I just don’t want them to hear me complain in English,” Rebraca told the Sun. “They can’t call (a technical) if they don’t understand what I’m saying.”
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Rebraca fills a big-man void left by Luka Garza and Jack Nunge.
It's been a busy offseason for Iowa, to say the least.
Luka Garza, the program's all-time leading scorer, played in his final collegiate basketball game. Jack Nunge transferred to Xavier, wanting to be closer to family after his father's death and a season-ending injury.
Throw in CJ Fredrick's decision to transfer, Joe Wieskamp mulling his NBA future, and Jordan Bohannon uncertain about a sixth season, and Iowa needed some veteran help to shoulder the load in 2021.
Rebraca is just that — a proven, capable threat with legitimate college experience.
Adam Hensley is a digital producer with the USA Today Network. You can follow him on Twitter @A_Hens83.