Wisconsin Badgers' women's basketball adds Croatian center to fill final roster spot

New head coach Robin Pingeton added the final piece to her roster, landing a 6-foot-3 center from Croatia for some much-needed size to the rotation.

Jan 5, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; New Wisconsin Badgers head coach Robin Pingeton yells instructions to her players while coaching for Missouri. / Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

After adding a slew of guards in the transfer portal, Robin Pingeton went big to round out her 2025-26 roster.

The Wisconsin Badgers announced the signing of Croatian center Dorja Iva Zaja on Friday, filling the last open spot on the team.

The 21-year-old current plays for Tresnjevka in the Croatia-Premijer League, which is still finishing its postseason.

One last piece to the puzzle!

Welcome to Madison, Dorja!

📖| https://t.co/yqla2zUAQm#OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/EJt6FrzR0n

— Wisconsin Women’s Basketball (@BadgerWBB) May 23, 2025

Zaja averaged over 10 points and nearly six rebounds in just over 20 minutes per game in the regular season.

She also played for Croatia in the FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket in 2023 and 2024.

At 6-foot-3, she'll add some much-needed size to the Wisconsin front court that lost star Serah Williams to UConn in the portal.

The Badgers will look very different on the court this season, and Pingeton has her work cut out for her to band this new group together and start turning the program around.

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