WATCH: The outdated reasons Big Z missed 16 games MUST be addressed

Zvonimir Ivisic decided in August to leave Croatia to come to Kentucky to play basketball. Yet, it was not until January 20 that he was deemed eligible to play for the Wildcats.

Ivisic faced eligibility challenges starting in August when the University of Kentucky admissions department denied him entry. The reasons behind his 16-game absence reflect outdated perspectives on how universities and the NCAA perceive big-time college athletics.

In the video below, we examine all of the reasons “Big Z” was forced to sit out and explain why they should not serve as a hindrance for the next international player who comes to Lexington.

WATCH THE VIDEO ESSAY HERE

For Big Z, the struggle to gain eligibility began in August when Kentucky’s admission department initially denied him entry. Upon acceptance and enrollment, the NCAA took its turn to disrupt the player’s future. He essentially served a 16-game suspension because he received slightly more stipend money than the NCAA allows while playing for a team in Croatia.

Someone needs to provide a compelling reason why a player who has been paid elsewhere shouldn’t be allowed to play for free in the United States. If they willingly transition from getting paid to play to playing for free, who does it harm? Especially in an NIL era where high school kids are being paid six figures.

Despite Ivisic’s clearance now, it’s too late. The university he chose to play for and the governing body of the sport both failed him. This issue extends beyond Kentucky winning games; it highlights the NCAA and participating colleges catching up with the evolving landscape of college athletics.

We are well beyond amateurism. Big Z should have been free in August. Moreover, it’s time the NCAA wakes up to the realities it’s facing. The college sports landscape has undergone massive changes, and they must start acknowledging and adapting to these shifts.

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