Jacob Mercep

Biography

Jacob Mercep was born in Dubrovnik, Croatia, a city steeped in water polo tradition. Inspired by his brother, Jacob started playing water polo at just eight years old. He quickly rose through the ranks, showcasing his skills at Jug Dubrovnik, one of Croatia's top water polo clubs. He made a significant mark by scoring 67 goals in 31 appearances between 2014 and 2017. His talent earned him a spot on Croatia's team for the 2016 FINA Youth World Championships, where he helped secure a gold medal.

After completing high school in Croatia, Jacob moved to the USA to take his game to the next level. At San Jose State University, he set records by scoring 93 goals in 27 games, earning accolades like the Golden Coast Conference newcomer of the year. He then transferred to the University of Southern California, where he continued to excel, scoring 113 goals over two seasons and leading the team in goals even during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

Post-pandemic, Jacob relocated to Australia, joining the Sydney University Lions and impressing enough to get called up to the Aussie Sharks. He made a strong debut in the Tri Nations Test Match Series in Perth, even winning player of the match honors. In 2024, he's all set to make his Olympic debut in Paris, carrying the hopes of the Australian water polo community with him.