Kentucky admissions office won't recognize results of Zvonimir Ivisic's English proficiency test

Croatian big man Zvonimir Ivisic was supposed to join the Kentucky basketball team in Lexington last month. However, with classes already underway, he has still yet to receive approval from the university’s admissions office.

According to KSR‘s Matt Pilgrim, the 7-foot-2 forward submitted an English proficiency test with passing scores, but the school won’t recognize the results. He then took a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and earned high passing scores in all sections but reading.

Despite this, Kentucky officials say that he has not proven that he understands English well enough to warrant his admission to the university. This is particularly puzzling because Ivisic speaks four languages, and there are public interviews of him in which he proves he can both speak and understand English fine.

UK had an admissions rate of 95% during the 2022-23 academic year, according to Pilgrim.

Ivisic can still get in if Kentucky president Eli Capilouto grants him a waiver, but the window for that to happen is getting shorter and shorter. Wildcats coach John Calipari had been in contact with Capilouto regarding the situation, and an extension on the enrollment deadline has been granted.

Still, the issue with the admissions office remains and has left Ivisic unable to obtain a student visa to study in the United States. His academic and amateur status have already been cleared by the NCAA, and there is concern he could decide to sign elsewhere. Other schools have already expressed interest in bringing him on.

Ivisic played the past two seasons of SC Derby in Montenegro, averaging 5.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in the Adriatic League. He’d be a valuable addition to any program, and Kentucky will hope to get the issues cleared up as soon as possible.

Kentucky releases statement on ‘misinformation’ regarding Zvonimir Ivisic’s admissions status

Kentucky has responded to the claims that there is an issue with Ivisic’s proficiency in English, calling them “misinformation.” On Tuesday, UK spokesperson Jay Blanton published a statement on the rumor.

“Unfortunately, misinformation is being perpetuated regarding the admission status of someone wishing to attend the University of Kentucky,” Blanton wrote. “The truth is members of our university – from our athletics department to our administration and all other units – are working together efficiently and in a manner that is consistent with the institution’s admissions standards.

“These are often complex issues, with multiple aspects to them, and they require many people, working to do the right thing for an individual wishing to attend the university. That is what we are doing. Spreading unfounded rumors helps no one.”