John Calipari announces addition of 7-foot-2 Croatian center Zvonimir Ivisic

It’s official — Kentucky men’s basketball has added a 7-foot-2 big man to this season’s roster.

On Saturday afternoon, head coach John Calipari announced the addition of Croatian center Zvonimir Ivisic, who declared his commitment to the Wildcats at the beginning of August. Calipari added that Ivisic has yet to make it to campus.

“I’m excited about Big Z. He’ll be a great addition,” Calipari wrote on social media. “As excited as he is to play for us, I’m just as excited to have the opportunity to coach him. Can’t wait for you to get to campus, @zvonimir_ivisic!!”

A potential 2024 NBA Draft selection, “Big Z” is known for his playmaking and ability to stretch the floor. He will immediately bolster Kentucky’s depth in the frontcourt, which became a minor cause for concern once seven-footers Aaron Bradshaw and Ugonna Onyenso both went down with injuries that could keep them off the hardwood to start the 2023-24 season.

I’m excited about Big Z. He’ll be a great addition. As excited as he is to play for us, I’m just as excited to have the opportunity to coach him. Can’t wait for you to get to campus, @zvonimir_ivisic!!

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) August 12, 2023

A member of SC Derby (Studentski Centar Podgorica) of the ABA League, Ivisic averaged 7.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in just 14.5 minutes per contest in 33 games in 2022-23. He exploded in the Adriatic League playoffs, though, putting up 15.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per contest before falling in the quarterfinals series to eventual champion Partizan. The 19-year-old standout followed it up by averaging 11.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks in just 19.4 minutes per contest in the U20 European Championships.

Ivisic declared and ultimately withdrew from the 2022 and 2023 NBA Drafts, paving a path to college basketball this upcoming season, specifically at the University of Kentucky. He’ll look to shine in the United States with hopes of hearing his name called on draft day next summer.

“Zvonimir is a unicorn,” one NBA scout told KSR. “He effortlessly shoots the three ball from range and is a fluid athlete that can run the floor like a gazelle and is super agile for a kid his size… He is a really good athlete and a really good leaper.”

Welcome to the Big Blue Nation, Big Z.