HERAKLION (2015 FIBA U19 World Championship) - Ivica Zubac was not supposed to be doing this. He was not supposed to be a leader on the Croatian team about to play the United States in the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship title game.

But then again, Zubac represents everything going on in Heraklion for Croatia, for whom the unexpected should be expected.

The 2.14m big man came to Greece as the planned back-up to Ante Zizic, the team's starting center and Zubac's teammate at Cibona Zagreb. Zizic in fact was supposed to be one of the breakout players of the tournament after a strong season in Croatia.

But supposed to be and reality are sometimes completely different worlds.

With Croatia already down two-fifths of their planned starting line-up before the tournament even tipped off, Zizic then went down at the end of the Group Phase and was forced to return to Croatia to take care of a groin injury.

Enter Zubac as the new starting center - and a major step into the limelight. The 1997-born big man has averaged 20.5 points and 7.8 rebounds while making 80 percent of his shots from the field in his last four games.

I'm so happy I could help my team to win and make it to the Final. I'm just doing what I can. - Zubac

"I didn't have many opportunities the past couple of years so I am just doing what I can," said Zubac.

The 18-year-old, whose only previous experience for Croatia was at the 2013 U16 European Championship, played very little the past two years because of injuries. But Croatian coach Ante Nazor brought him to Greece as Zizic's back-up.

"Him coming here, this was not expected from him. But we knew what he can do. When Ante went down, he took that role. He took it brilliantly and we're so happy to have him," said Nazor.

Zubac's performances in Greece have caught the attention of NBA evaluators and his English language skills are needed in the media mixed zone in Heraklion.

That was not supposed to happen. But that's how it is with Croatia this summer.

FIBA