Big Z was "ecstatic" about UK debut; Calipari worried he might need extra shorts

A day many believed would never come, Zvonimir Ivisic made his highly-anticipated Kentucky Basketball debut on Saturday, logging a surprise 16 minutes in the win over Georgia. Big Z, as he is known throughout the Big Blue Nation, was cleared by the NCAA via e-mail earlier in the day. Hours after receiving the good news, he checked in for his first playing time as a Wildcat, spelling Aaron Bradshaw at the first media timeout four minutes into the game.

BIG Z CHECKS IN!@zvonimir_ivisic pic.twitter.com/ptD78NWUPB

— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) January 20, 2024

Ivisic’s impact was immediate. On his first defensive stand, he blocked Georgia’s leading scorer, Jabri Abdur-Rahim, on a driving layup. He recorded his first assist a minute later, finding Antonio Reeves for a transition basket off a Georgia turnover. Ivisic’s first collegiate highlight soon followed: a behind-the-back pass to Reeves for a wide-open three. Reeves didn’t let him down on the shot.

Big Z ➡️ Tone for three and Rupp EXLODES! pic.twitter.com/0fHzZpU1wg

— KSR (@KSRonX) January 20, 2024

Ivisic was only getting started. After a five-minute rest to catch his breath, he checked back in to set the game on fire. Instantly, he grabbed a defensive rebound and hit his first career shot on the other end. The three-pointer made him the tallest UK player to ever hit one and it sent Rupp Arena into another frenzy.

Ivisic rode the energy into the next defensive stand, blocking Silas Demary Jr.‘s layup attempt. Feeling the BBN’s support, he took his second three-pointer a minute later. Again, he connected.

But he wasn’t done. Not even close. He sank the heat check, too.

Shoot ‘em all Z! pic.twitter.com/ENvAHPwUIU

— KSR (@KSRonX) January 20, 2024

Then, with memories and whispers of Tayshaun Prince all around him, Ivisic fired a fourth from deep. The corner shot was contested. Still, it hit its mark.

.@zvonimir_ivisic IS ON 🔥🔥🔥.

4/4 3FG. pic.twitter.com/o1gVXXBwuz

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 20, 2024

Ivisic finished his first-half debut with 11 points on 4-for-4 shooting from the field, three rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals in only eight minutes of his first-ever collegiate basketball. (The second shot was changed to a two after a review.) He was a +20 in Kentucky’s +/- column, the highest mark on the team at halftime.

In the second half, Ivisic nearly added a highlight to his reel by attempting to spin and dunk over the top of a Bulldog defender; however, the spectacular two-handed jam missed off the back iron. He’d add a dunk later in the game, only to receive a technical foul for hanging on the rim in celebration. Rookie mistake. It’s a legal move in Croatia.

For the game, Ivisic contributed 13 points, five rebounds, three blocks, two steals, two assists, and more fun than the fan base could’ve ever imagined. He was named Most Valuable Player.

Big Z was “ecstatic,” says Calipari

After Big Z’s MVP game, John Calipari was asked about the performance and the NCAA’s ruling allowing Ivisic to debut. Calipari explained that UK didn’t learn of Ivisic’s status until after the team’s shootaroud on Saturday.

‘He was ecstatic,” Calipari replied. “And it was only a few of us there. The team had left so we sent him a message and let him send it out. But he was all smiles. He’s got a ways to go but, I told them, you know why he was wide open? Because they didn’t think he could shoot threes. They hadn’t seen him ever play. But it was a good start for him. It took a long, long time, but I appreciate the work everybody did to make it happen.”

As for the game, Calipari acknowledged that he had seen flashes of this Ivisic in the team’s practices, including Ivisic’s areas of weakness.

“He got pushed around. There’s things that he’s doing in practice the same way, that we got to work on. But he rebounded. He’s seven-foot-two. But they were sealing our bigs and they could not move to get around, and I said, then foul them. Just do anything to get around. And he got caught, Aaron got caught, Ugo got caught, and they ended up shooting a bunch of layups in the second half.”

On Calipari’s postgame radio show in front of the Rupp Arena crowd, he told the fans they were the highlight of the night for their celebration of Big Z.

“You people were going nuts, going crazy. I know Z made a shot, and I see people dancing and spinning, and I get all that, but you all have to understand every game these guys play on the road is like that. And that’s why I want the same thing for everyone that walks into our building.”

Also from Calipari’s radio interview, he joked that he requested two pairs of white shorts for Ivisic in case he “poops himself.” Ivisic admitted to SEC Network he was nervous.

Big Z’s debut in photos