Get To Know Zvonimir Ivisic At Kentucky Basketball Media Day '23

Kentucky Basketball Media Day ’23 opened the entire team to questioning before Kentucky’s first exhibition game later this week. For many of the Kentucky Wildcats, the preseason conversations were just another round of interviews with the local media. But for one Wildcat in particular, Media Day was his first public speaking appearance since he arrived on campus.

Zvonimir Ivisic flew to America and moved into his dorm room two weeks before he was put in front of the Media Day lights, cameras, and action. Between landing in Lexington and his first public comments, Ivisic made non-participant appearances at Kentucky’s Big Blue Madness and Blue-White Game events.

At Media Day, Ivisic took one of the empty seats on Kentucky’s practice floor, where, immediately, he was swarmed by eager reporters seeking their first sound byte. New to everything, he seemed shy and at a loss for words as questions rang out from the crowd around him, but he welcomed them all and smiled through his answers.

“Everyone welcomed me nicely, so, yeah, I am having fun right now,” he replied to the first question about his first days with Kentucky Basketball. “Everything was fine with me.”

From there, Ivisic shared more about himself and his excitement to be a Wildcat.

Playing with dogs

There has been an adjustment to the level of play in Lexington. Ivisic said practices are harder and longer than anything he has been a part of, and at times, it has been tough.

“I was having a hard time (early),” he admitted. “But everything will come into place, so I am not worried.”

Ivisic said all of his teammates have been helpful as he works to join them on the court, and he has been impressed by the collection of talent, competitiveness, and strong will.

“We’ve got some dogs on the court… Everybody has that dog in them.”

Until he reaches dog status, Ivisic said, “I’ll do my best to help the team so I’ll give 100%, of course. I’m gonna help a little bit, at least.”

Eating good in Lexington

Lexington is a foodie town, and Ivisic didn’t need long to find some good cuisine. Though he wouldn’t name any specific foods or restaurants, he admitted to adding “six or seven pounds” in the week and a half that he has been in the Bluegrass.

He didn’t specify if that weight gain aligns with the team’s dietary plan for him. However, he named “strength and conditioning” as the two primary focuses in the first phase of development within the program, so maybe gaining weight was an assignment.

If so, he is off to a great start.

Big Z loves Big Cuz

The Big Blue Nation will be thrilled to learn that one of their all-time favorite players, DeMarcus Cousins, is Ivisic’s favorite player, too.

“We play the same position,” Ivisic explained. “I always wanted to play like him.”

So, you can imagine Ivisic’s excitement when he met Cousins at Big Blue Madness one day after he arrived on campus.

Meeting BBN

Media Day was Ivisic’s first time on record as a Kentucky Wildcat, but he has already been in the Kentucky spotlight twice. He thought he was prepared for his celebrity status after his new teammates warned him what was ahead. Still, the passion of Big Blue Nation blew him away at Big Blue Madness and the Blue-White Game.

“They told me all these good things, like, there is a big crowd always watching,” he said. “Everybody’s going to know me on campus. Everybody wants to take pictures with me, sign autographs and that stuff.

“I was expecting some people, but it was crazy.”

His English is just fine

Earlier in the day, John Calipari said Ivisic’s on-court debut will have to wait another week until Kentucky’s second exhibition game. When asked what he expects when it comes time to play his first minutes, Ivisic smiled and replied, “I don’t know. You’re gonna have to ask me that in a week.

“I’m excited, the same as y’all.”

Yes, he said, “y’all.” So, his English is fine.

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