John Calipari says Zvonimir Ivisic is 'dying to get back,' hopes he plays 'sooner than later'

No, Zvonimir Ivisic has not yet been cleared by the NCAA. Yes, John Calipari is frustrated. The good news, though? The 7-2 forward out of Croatia is expected to rejoin the team this week ahead of Kentucky‘s trip to Gainsville.

Beyond that, though, clarity is hard to come by regarding his eligibility situation. Coach Cal struggled to come up with the right words to explain where things stand today, specifically when dealing with the NCAA. Through it all, Ivisic dealt with real physical and mental adversities, which led to their decision to send him back home for the holidays.

“He’ll be back in town, but it’s got to be a total fight or — you know, I just don’t know how long,” Calipari said. “I mean, you can’t — it’s not working with, it’s like, ‘Hey man, let’s go.’ I mean, I had to send him home. He’s 242, down to (219). Come on, man. He wasn’t sleeping, eating. This stuff has gotten to him.”

It could have been easy for Ivisic to get comfortable back home and opt to pivot on his plan of suiting up at Kentucky, especially being back around family, friends and loved ones. Instead, he told them just how much he was enjoying Lexington and how badly he wanted to return and see the situation through.

“How about this? He’s dying to get back. He wants to play for this university and these fans in the worst way,” Calipari said of Ivisic. “He went back and told everybody, ‘I’ve never been coached this way. I’ve never been challenged this way. I love the environment, the fans.’ He just wants to play.”

So what’s holding that up? Well, a final decision from the NCAA, for one. Calipari voiced his frustration there, again confirming the hold-up is money-related — ironically in the middle of the free-for-all that is name, image and likeness in collegiate athletics.

It’s hypocritical, to put it lightly.

“If he were a pro, he’d be a pro. You can make it like he’s a pro,” Calipari said. “‘What about this, what about that, what about this?’ What about the junior that’s making a million dollars and he’s in high school and will go play college basketball? This is common sense stuff. This is why we get into the he-say, she-say and ‘We’re gonna let this kid play and not that kid.’ That’s why I said it in Louisville, the Supreme Court, every court case — common sense. Common sense.”

At the end of the day, Coach Cal just wants clarity one way or another. If the NCAA does the right thing, it will mean Ivisic suits up for the Wildcats in the near future.

“Hopefully this kid plays sooner than later.”