In January when RunningTheBulls.com asked Antun Maričević about his recruitment by South Florida he told us, “They are on the top of my list.” Two months later the native of Zagreb, Croatia proved he meant what he said when he committed to the Bulls on March 31 becoming the fourth member of the 2018 recruiting class.

A transfer from Casper College in Wyoming, Maričević was the No. 6 most efficient JuCo post-up player in the 2017-18 season. He averaged 15.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, made 67.3 percent of his field goal attempts which ranked him seventh in the nation and made him the single-season field goal percentage leader in the history of the Casper College program.

The Bulls have not had a center make at least 60 percent of his field goal attempts since Ruben Guerrero was a sophomore in the 2015-16 season.

Has your size changed at all? If yes, what is your current height and weight?

6-foot-9 and 240.

When do you plan on reporting to USF and who will you be living with?

I’m coming to states on June 11th. It might take another couple days before I come to Tampa. (The interview with Maričević was conducted on June 6 while he was in Croatia.)

What does your typical workout routine entail?

First warm up, sometimes stretch because I can do more and better when I do that. Hook, mid-range shots.

How would you describe your playing style?

Hard working and addictive on the way like. I will do whatever coach said because I believe in him.

What player or team are you most looking forward to going up against?

I went to Tulsa on a visit so they are one team that I can’t wait to play against. And another is Wichita State because they did recruit me in the beginning.

Since the end of your junior college season what have you been working on to improve?

My three-point range the most to be honest. And legs to be able to move better.

What's your favorite food?

Mom’s cooking. Can’t saying anything else because it would be a lie hahaha.

What is your favorite movie?

I love to watch movies and TV shows. I really don’t have one (favorite) exactly. There are many good, good movies. “Lord of the Rings”. I can watch that movie over and over it’s great!

What is your favorite TV show?

“Spartacus”. I love history so that one I will remember long time.

What's the one song you're getting hyped up to before a game?

Really don’t have one, but now when I think one song that is on my mind is “Every Day We Lit.” (By YFN Lucci. Ironically the song was used in the 2017 season premiere of HBO’s Hard Knocks featuring the Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Who is your celebrity crush?

I need to think on this one. A lot of Ladies getting through my head rn (rn = right now)

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not playing basketball?

Hanging with friends, watching movies, spend time outdoors, for sure now want to see more of Tampa.

What's the one thing you learned from your recruitment that you would pass on as advice to a future recruit?

To always leave all options open. You never know what can change with other schools. And I would say that this process is stressful. But also fun and must enjoy it because this all is about that.

What are you expectations for your freshman season?

It’s going to be hard. I was good on JuCo but this level is totally different level and story so I am ready for next challenge in my college career. But I do expect to play because I will do anything to prove that I [am] worth that. I believe we can get close to 20 wins this season.

What would be three words to describe you?

Determined. Focused. Achiever.