American-born forward Tyler Wahl is tearing it up for KK Zadar in the Premijer Liga and ABA Balkan League — quickly becoming a household name in the area.
After averaging 18 points per game at Lakeville North High School in Minnesota, Wahl began his collegiate career with the Wisconsin Badgers in 2019. Following five seasons with the program, he signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves after the 2024 NBA Draft. However, the 6’9″ scorer signed with KK Zadar later that summer, a headlining move that would bolster the franchise right off the bat. Averaging 13.6 points in his last 10 games, Wahl has played a large part in Zadar’s push to the top of the Croatian league table this season. In a relatively low-scoring style of basketball being played in Europe, Wahl is finding ways to get to the rim and finish.
Tyler was kind enough to meet with CroatianSports via Zoom last week from Zadar.
When we asked Wahl what he was expecting before arriving in Croatia, he told us, “coming into Zadar, I knew it was a big basketball town. A lot of people here love their basketball, and that was something that really drew me to the town. The fans all know who you are, they all know basketball pretty well. If you’re playing well, they’re gonna let you hear it, and if not, they’re also gonna let you know”. He mentioned that the fans and culture of KK Zadar were what drew him to the team and city.
We asked him about the difference between basketball fans in Europe and the NCAA back in the States.
“The two most packed games we played were against Partizan and Zvezda, and those were a whole lot of fun. The arena was packed, and the fans, I give them a lot of credit because they’re always up on their feet, chanting, doing their songs…it’s definitely something. The fans here will light a flare and the arena will get a little smokey”. Wahl told us that he feels very blessed to be in Zadar with his new teammates.
Tyler’s teammates gave him a “heads-up” ahead of Zadar’s clashes against their Serbian rivals. Once he was on the court, he remembers soaking in the intense atmosphere.
“You kind of take a step back and look at what’s happening. You can definitely feel the passion and the emotion from the fans. It’s not just another game…there is definitely a little extra something on the table”.
We went on to ask him about the difference in play-style between European and American hoops. Wahl spoke a lot about the contrast in physicality and the importance of momentum on the court.
“You can kind of get away with some hand-checking or a little push here and there. I would say there is a lot more pride in every possession…every possession matters, every game matters, you’re trying to do the best you can at all times”. Wahl also mentioned an increase in timeouts to preserve momentum, instead of letting an opponent go on a 10-0 or 15-0 run.
In his free time, Wahl enjoys driving around Zadar, getting a true feel for the city.
“Nothing beats going to the Sea Organs, just sitting there and soaking it all in. I’ve heard a lot of really good things about Dubrovnik…I really like when we play in Split, and then Zagreb is just big! We will go into the hotel and not know what part of the city you’re in, and then you take a drive and it almost feels like you’re at home in a big city”.
During his time with the Badgers, Tyler was beloved by his fans across the state of Wisconsin — and played a large role in several signature victories for the program. He spoke to us about the beauty of his Wisconsin experience, and how special it was to walk around the town of Madison and be greeted by fans in his college town. Wahl expressed appreciation for his former teammates, crediting them for great memories during his collegiate career.
“Whether it’s a good or bad day, you’re going to go in there and laugh, kind of make fun of each other. That’s where my core memories are”.
Finally, we asked Tyler about what the game of basketball has taught him.
“Just take it day by day…the sun’s going to rise tomorrow, and you just gotta do what you’ve gotta do today. The ‘living in the moment’ frame of mind, that’s helped me out this year”.
Tyler Wahl is emerging as a star at KK Zadar. Premijer Liga and ABA fans, keep your eyes on the young American forward. A baller on the court, and an even better guy off of it!
Tyler You Rock! Congrats on an awesome European position! Hope you are having a great time in pro BB in that Beautiful country, Soaking up the European Experience! If we are there traveling we will look you up. Have a great season!
Star?
A diaspora croat investing in croatian basketball would be a waste of money.
It would be nice to see some diaspora Croats invest in teams like Zadar, Sibenik and Split and try to take it over.
The budgets of these clubs are so low, they cannot compete in Europe and they cannot even develop young players with it.
I read somewhere that teams in Slovenia and Serbia have 10x the team salary of clubs like Zadar.
I also read that KK Split doesn’t even have first priority at their own Sports Center (Gripe) as they share it with a Malonogometni club.
They are literally the European Chicago Bulls of the 1990s with their Euroleague three-peat, and they can’t even play in their own arena half the time.