A 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) center, he played five seasons (1990–1992; 1996–1999) in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as a member of the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Los Angeles Clippers.

A renowned shot blocker, Vranković made little impact in the NBA, managing small minutes and a low scoring average even though he started 73 out of 170 games played.

In the EuroLeague Finals, his block to deny Barcelona the lead in the last second gave the game a dramatic end, but he fell to the ground in the ensuing commotion and clutched his knee in pain at the buzzer.

[1] In an interview at the official EuroLeague Final Four website, Panathinaikos captain Panagiotis Giannakis described the incident as follows: Vranković earned a silver medal at the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympic Games with the senior Yugoslav national team.

In an article at the FIBA website concerning the opening of a museum in Dražen's honour, Vranković was quoted as saying: "I would like to thank all those involved in creating this place, so children would be able to learn more about basketball's Amadeus".