Zvonimir Ivisic expected to return to Kentucky next week

Big Z will not be in the building tonight. Kentucky just released a statement saying that Zvonimir Ivisic is still in Croatia and is expected to return to Lexington “next week.” The seven-footer is awaiting clearance from the NCAA and went back to Croatia following Kentucky’s win over Louisville on Dec. 21.

“Zvonimir Ivišić will not be with the team for tonight’s game vs. Illinois State,” Kentucky’s tweet read. “Ivišić has been given extra time at home in Croatia following the holiday break and is expected back next week.”

Before the Louisville game, Ivisic released a statement on Instagram saying he met with John Calipari to discuss going home for the holidays and felt as though he’d done everything he could possibly do to be cleared by the NCAA.

“I love this school,” Ivisic wrote. “I love my teammates and going against other great players every day in practice. I love being coached and challenged and I’m hoping to hear that I can play soon.”

After the win over the Cardinals, Calipari said he agreed to let Big Z go home for his well-being.

“It hasn’t changed,” Cal said of Ivisic’s status on Dec. 21. “All that he’s been through — plus he was 242 and went down to 219. He’s not sleeping, struggling to eat, you know what I’m saying? For his sake, I said I was good with (him going home for the holidays). His parents are also — you know, he’s going to go home and be back before the Illinois State game. Hopefully, we hear something.”

Calipari took the opportunity to vent about the NCAA, pointing out the hypocrisy of high school players from the United States earning money through name, image, and likeness (NIL) while international players are interrogated by the NCAA for their opportunities before coming overseas.

“Here’s the crazy thing. NIL — you do know juniors are making hundreds of thousands in high school? One just signed for a million. High school. Seniors are making hundreds of thousands, in high school. ‘Well, this is stated different.’ Stop it,” Calipari said. “That’s why we’re in this position, and that’s why the Supreme Court and every court says, ‘No, you can’t do it that way.’ I’m hoping that they look at this. It took us a while to get him admitted. Somebody told me he put out his GPA, which was (good).”

In the days since, Justin Edwards shared his support for Ivisic in an Instagram Live with the big man, who was watching his brother, Tomislav Ivisic, suit up for his old SC Derby squad in the team’s matchup vs. Budućnost VOLI.

Justin Edwards wants to #FreeBigZ pic.twitter.com/0k1fpBWsDl

— KSR (@KSRonX) December 23, 2023

The NCAA Eligibility Center is currently closed for the holidays and will reopen on January 2. After tonight’s game vs. Illinois State, Kentucky is not back in action again until January 6 at Florida.