May 14, 2008

TCU head men's basketball coach Jim Christian announced on Wednesday (May 14) that Vincennes University standout Zvonko Buljan (Split, Croatia/Vincennes University) has signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the Horned Frogs for the upcoming 2008-09 campaign.

"Zvonko is a player that comes from a great junior college program," said Christian. "He understands how to win and what it takes to be successful so we believe that will carry to our program. He's a very skilled player, can play inside or outside and rebounds extremely well. We're excited to have a player of his caliber join our team."

Buljan comes to the Horned Frogs from a Vincennes University program that recorded a 28-6 overall record - including a 16-0 mark at home - during the 2007-08 campaign. The 6-9 forward concluded his sophomore season averaging 12.7 points and a team-high 9.0 rebounds per game while shooting 53.7 percent (161-of-300) from the floor.

During his sophomore campaign - Buljan finished with 12 double-doubles (points-rebounds) while recording 13 games of 10 or more rebounds. The 6-9 forward recorded one of his biggest games of the season in a 108-63 victory over Clark State where he notched a game-high 27 points to go along with 18 rebounds. In that contest - Buljan finished connected on 10-of-17 shots from the field while grabbing 11 offensive rebounds and dishing out four assists.

In his second meeting of the season against Clark State - Buljan's stat-sheet was just as stellar as he finished with 14 points to go along with tying a season-high 18 rebounds with three steals and two assists. Buljan recorded a 22-point, 12-rebound effort in the Blazers' 105-60 victory over Spoon River where he connected on a perfect 12-of-12 from the charity stripe.

As a sophomore with the Blazers - Buljan led Vincennes to a NJCAA District III Championship and a spot at the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan., where his squad dropped a 74-67 decision to Paris Junior College in the second round of the tournament. On the season - the 6-9 newly-signed Frog aided a high-powered offense for Vincennes as the Blazers were one of the top-scoring teams in District III with an 84.3 points per game average.

In his first season at Vincennes - Buljan guided the Blazers' to a 25-8 overall record - including a 15-3 mark on their home court - while averaging 8.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 50.0 percent from the floor at 49.7 percent (88-of-177).

The Blazers' low post standout notched his first double-double of the season in the District III Championship Game where he recorded a 12-point, 14-rebound performance - including 10 offensive rebounds - in an 84-58 victory over Lake Region State. At the NJCAA National Championships - Buljan finished the tournament averaging 14.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while shooting 54.5 percent (12-of-22) from the field in a pair of games.

A native of Split, Croatia - Buljan brings a wealth of international experience to the Horned Frogs' program as he served as a member of the Croatian Junior National Team during his prep career.

Buljan becomes the second player to be added to the Frogs' upcoming roster this week as he joins Fort Worth native Ronnie Moss (Fort Worth, Texas/Christian Life Academy). Buljan is the second player to sign a National Letter of Intent under first-year head men's basketball coach Jim Christian - joining Weatherford College standout Edvinas Ruzgas (Vilnius, Lithuania/Weatherford College).

TCU Athletic Media Relations