A versatile and tenacious forward from Zadar, Croatia, David Škara has built a career defined by defensive excellence, relentless work ethic, and the ability to perform on the biggest stages.
Standing at 6'8" (205 cm), Škara began his journey in the youth ranks of KK Zadar before moving to the United States to compete in NCAA Division I basketball. After standout seasons at Valparaiso University and Clemson University — where he helped lead the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 — he transitioned to professional basketball in Europe.
His European career has spanned Spain (Levitec Huesca), France (Denain, Le Portel, SLUC Nancy, Champagne Basket), and Croatia (Split). He won the LNB Pro B Championship with SLUC Nancy in 2022 and later earned Croatian Cup MVP honors with Split in 2025. He now competes for Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana in the prestigious BKT EuroCup.
A proud member of the Croatian national team, Škara represents his country across the FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers, World Cup Pre-Qualifiers, and World Cup European Qualifiers. He also represented Croatia at the FIBA U17 World Championship in 2012, where the team won a bronze medal.
Croatian
Highlights
Video Highlights
vs Partizan — 15 Pts, 5 Reb
Playlist
Short Clips
ESPN on David Škara's Defense
Game Highlights — Cedevita Olimpija
Career
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana
BKT EuroCup
/ ABA League 
Signed with Cedevita Olimpija for the 2025/26 season, marking his debut in the prestigious BKT EuroCup competition. Head coach Zvezdan Mitrović praised Škara as "a versatile fighter capable of playing both power forward and center positions" who brings "toughness to defense, stability to offense, and reliability in rebounding."
Croatia — National Team
FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers
/ World Cup Pre-Qualifiers / World Cup European Qualifiers
A regular member of the Croatian senior national team, representing his country across FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers, World Cup Pre-Qualifiers, and World Cup European Qualifiers. A versatile contributor on both ends of the floor at the international level, continuing a proud national team journey that began with a bronze medal at the FIBA U17 World Championship in 2012.
KK Split
ABA League / Croatian Premijer Liga 
Averaged 12.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in 29 ABA League games, including a 26-point performance against Igokea. Won the Croatian Cup and was named MVP and leading scorer of the Final Eight tournament (16.0 PPG, 19 points in the final). Helped Split reach the Croatian League championship final. Also appeared in 31 domestic league games averaging 11.2 points and 5.4 rebounds.
Champagne Basket (Châlons-Reims)
LNB Pro B
— France
Spent two productive seasons with Champagne Basket in France's Pro B league, establishing himself as a reliable contributor on both ends of the floor. Reached the Pro B Finals in 2023 and continued to develop his all-around game in the competitive French basketball system before returning to Croatia with Split.
SLUC Nancy
LNB Pro B — France
Won the LNB Pro B Championship with SLUC Nancy in the 2021-22 season, helping the club earn promotion to the top-flight LNB Pro A. A key contributor to the title-winning squad, demonstrating his versatility and defensive tenacity on the biggest stage of French second-division basketball.
ESSM Le Portel
LNB Pro A
— France
Gained experience at the top level of French basketball, competing in the elite LNB Pro A division. Demonstrated versatility as a wing defender and floor-spacer.
Denain ASC Voltaire
LNB Pro B — France
Began his French basketball journey with Denain, quickly adapting to European professional basketball after his NCAA career.
Levitec Huesca
LEB Oro
— Spain
Launched his professional career in Spain's second division, transitioning from the NCAA to European professional basketball.
Clemson University
NCAA
— ACC Conference 
Two-time KenPom game MVP against NC Central (Nov. 9) and Georgia Tech (Feb. 6). Received votes for the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Appeared in 33 games (32 starts), shooting 46.8% from the floor, averaging 7.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Career highs: 17 points in 38 minutes against Lipscomb, 11 rebounds against Creighton, four 3-point makes against Wright State, and 40 minutes played against Georgia Tech.
Clemson University
NCAA — ACC Conference
Averaged 3.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game for Clemson, who won a school-record 25 games, finished tied for 3rd in the ACC, and made an NCAA tournament run to the Sweet 16. Praised as Clemson's best defender by head coach Brad Brownell. Notable wins against North Carolina, Florida, Ohio State, Louisville, and Florida State. Kept Duke's Grayson Allen to only 2 points in the second half while posting 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. Scored 7 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in the Sweet 16 game against Final Four team Kansas.
Clemson University
NCAA — ACC Conference
Recruited by Clemson, Michigan, Georgia Tech, Richmond, and TCU after transfer announcement. Transferred to Clemson and redshirted per NCAA rules. Earned the Clemson University team's Tiger Strength Award.
Valparaiso University
NCAA — Horizon League 
Averaged 6.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in 29 appearances. Shot 44% overall and 33% from three-point distance with 44 assists in 19.7 minutes per game. Reached double figures seven times, including the NIT semifinal against BYU where he scored 15 points with 6 rebounds and hit the game-winner in the final 20 seconds.
Valparaiso University
NCAA — Horizon League
Averaged 5.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, appearing in all 34 contests for the Crusaders who won the Horizon League regular season and conference tournament. Tied for third on team in assists (60) and blocked shots. Shot 80.9% from the free throw line (second-best on team). Named to the Horizon League All-Tournament Team after leading Valpo with 12 points in the championship win over Green Bay.
Don Bosco Prep
High School — Crown Point, IndianaPlayed one season of high school basketball at Don Bosco Prep, averaging 16 points and 8 rebounds per game. Coached by Dave Maravella.
Croatia — National Youth Team
FIBA U17 World Championship
Gained international experience at the FIBA U17 World Championships, helping Croatia collect a bronze medal. Appeared in four games with a high of 10 points and 5 rebounds in a win over South Korea.
KK Zadar Youth Academy
Croatia
Developed his basketball foundation in the youth ranks of legendary KK Zadar, one of Croatia's most storied basketball clubs. While still in the academy, also competed in senior basketball with KK Sonik Puntamika 
in the A-2 Liga Jug (Croatia's second-tier league), contributing as a key player in their undefeated 2012-13 regular season run. Honed his defensive instincts and versatile playing style that would define his career.