Big Z, Calipari cried together when they found out he was eligible

After months and months of waiting, Zvonimir Ivisic was finally ruled eligible by the NCAA this afternoon. Ivisic made the most of his debut, hitting three three-pointers in the first half to bring Rupp Arena to its feet in a wonderful moment of catharsis. For a player who has waited so patiently, it would be hard to script anything better.

Afterward, Big Z made the media rounds, telling the SEC Now crew about the moment he found out he was “free.” John Calipari was right by his side.

“We cried,” Ivisic said. “We both cried and then we started jumping, jumping like crazy.”

In his conversation with Tom Leach, Calipari said he and Big Z found out the news after Kentucky’s shootaround.

“There were three of us in there,” Cal said. “And the kid was so — like, he was smiling ear to ear. I mean, I can’t tell you, he could barely speak. And I knew that he would be so excited.”

So excited that Calipari called Kentucky’s equipment manager to tell him to be ready in case Big Z’s nerves got the best of him.

“I called Mark Evans and I said, ‘You better bring two pairs of white shorts, so he didn’t just have one. He may go in there and poop himself.'”

LOL. Big Z admitted to the SEC Now crew that he was nervous, but he didn’t show it. After checking in at the 16-minute mark, he quickly blocked a shot, made a ridiculous behind-the-back pass, and got a steal. When he checked back in at the 8-minute mark, the fun really began, with three after three after three swishing into the crowd’s delight.

“To be honest, I was nervous,” Ivisic said. “I was really nervous. So but again, like when I went in, I was happy. And I was excited. It was fun. I enjoyed it.”

The Rupp Arena crowd did too, roaring for Big Z early and often. Ivisic thanked the BBN for their support but also gave special love to his teammates.

“I’m proud of them,” he said. “I’m proud of them for supporting me and stuff. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be able to go through this. So yeah, thanks to them too.”

Check out the ovation he got from the crowd at Rupp Arena when he left:

pic.twitter.com/LzRnyvGghQ

— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) January 21, 2024