Karlo Matkovic

Karlo Matkovic's Biography

Karlo Matković, born 30 March 2001, has etched a remarkable name for himself in the world of professional basketball. Born into a Croatian family in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Matković’s outstanding talent and skill in basketball has earned him a reputable position in the Birmingham Squadron of the prestigious NBA G League; an assignment from the renowned New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association. His contributions to the sport either domestically or overseas have had him representing the Croatian national team on an international scale.

Matković’s nascent pursuit of basketball as a profession began to take shape when he attended the famous Jordan Brand Classic camp in 2017. Demonstrating impressive dexterity, Matković’s career moved rapidly, marking excellent performances. Earning a reputation for his skills and potential as a rising player, he found himself participating at the Basketball Without Borders Europe camp in Belgrade, Serbia in August 2018.

Further demonstrating the versatility of his talents, Matković represented Bosnia and Herzegovina, expanding his basketball repertoire and glorious potential. It was during the 2018-19 season of the Croatian League that Matković was elevated to the Cedevita senior team. An unequivocal recognition of his prowess, he signed his first-ever professional contract for Cedevita in April 2019.

The fruits of Matković’s continuous dedication and hard work came to a punctuation when he was loaned to OKK Beograd for the 2019-2020 Serbian League season in September 2019. And in August 2020, he was loaned to Mega Soccerbet for the 2020-21 ABA season. Inciting greater achievements, Matković declared for the 2021 NBA draft after the 2020-2021 season. However, he later withdrew his candidacy from consideration on 19th July 2021.

With unwavering ambition and tenacity, Matković declared for the NBA draft in April 2022. Recognizing his talent, he was picked 52nd overall by the prestigious New Orleans Pelicans, and he also participated in the 2022 NBA Summer League with them. However, despite not joining the Pelicans for the 2022-23 NBA season, Matković left an indelible impression on many. Following, he joined Cedevita Olimpija on 23rd July and later departed Cedevita on 4th February 2024.

Adding yet another milestone to his evolving career, Matković joined the Birmingham Squadron of the NBA G League on 22nd February 2024, and a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans was inked on 14th July the same year. He made his vibrant debut in the NBA on 23rd October when the Pelicans seized a win over the Chicago Bulls in a tight match, scoring 123-111.

Not just confined to club basketball, Matković’s international career also flourished. He was part of the Bosnia and Herzegovina under-18 team that competed at the 2018 FIBA U18 European Championship in Latvia. Though his team recorded a 0-7 record at the tournament, he averaged 8.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game over seven tournament games.

In November 2021, Matković expressed his profound interest in representing his homeland, Croatia, in senior competitions internationally, if given a call. His dream transformed into reality, and he made his debut for Croatia in February 2022, playing in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers match against Sweden. With a journey as charismatic as his, there is no denying that the sky is the limit for this basketball prodigy.