Zvonimir Ivisic on Kentucky commitment: "It was easy for me."

It didn’t take long for Zvonimir Ivisic to realize the University of Kentucky was home. Once the scholarship offer came from John Calipari and contact ramped up between the two parties, it was clear that Lexington was where the 7-foot-2 big man out of Croatia wanted to be.

“I got the offer for scholarship by Coach Calipari to attend the University of Kentucky,” Ivisic announced on Instagram. “I’m excited to tell that I accepted the scholarship and I will play there next season. Go Big Blue!”

Ivisic’s commitment came early Tuesday morning, putting a bow on Kentucky’s roster that has all of the pieces necessary to contend for a championship. Frontcourt depth and rim protection were the only remaining question marks on a team loaded with scoring, shooting, playmaking and spacing. Now the Wildcats have added yet another piece that checks all of those boxes and then some.

“It’s the best spot in the U.S. for talented basketball players.”

The versatile big is a potential first-round draft talent in 2024. And he’s coming to Kentucky so Calipari and his staff can help make those NBA dreams come true.

“I decided to come to Kentucky because it’s the best spot in the U.S. for talented basketball players,” Ivisic told ESPN. “Coach Calipari is a Hall of Fame coach that sent more players to the NBA than anyone else.”

Ivisic wrapped up high school this summer and then turned toward the future, deciding what was next in his basketball journey. He could have stayed overseas and played professionally for another year or moved to the States to play college basketball anywhere in the country.

Coming off a strong showing at the U20 European Championships, he was a hot commodity with plenty of options to choose from. But once Calipari and the Wildcats got involved, there was nothing left to consider.

Kentucky was the answer.

“I always liked college basketball, but this summer finally I finished high school and started seriously thinking about it and got Kentucky interest. So it was easy for me.”

Ivisic joins a frontcourt that includes the likes of Aaron Bradshaw, Tre Mitchell and Ugonna Onyenso. It’s a unique combination of pieces that give the Wildcats shooting, playmaking and rim protection. Factor in the backcourt talent of Antonio Reeves, DJ Wagner, Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard along with Swiss Army Knife forwards Justin Edwards and Adou Thiero, and Kentucky is in business.