Zvonimir Ivisic to wear No. 44 for Kentucky Wildcats

Zvonimir Ivisic has picked out his jersey number as the fall semester begins at the University of Kentucky.

The 7-foot-2, 220-pound forward out of Vodice, Croatia will wear No. 44 as a freshman for the Wildcats in 2023-24, the first player since Dakari Johnson (2013-15) to rock the number in Lexington. His bio and number were recently added to the official roster for UK Athletics.

Ivisic joins Johnson, Chuck Hayes (2001-05), Gimel Martinez (1990-94), Jeff Ginnan (1988-89), Robert Lock (1984-88), Charles Hurt (1979-83), Scott Courts (1977-78), Bob Fowler (1975-76), Steve Lochmueller (1972-74), Dan Issel (1967-70), Brad Bounds (1964-67), Cotton Nash (1961-64), Bill Lickert (1958-61), Phil Grawemeyer (1953-56) and Cliff Dwyer (1951-52) as Wildcats to sport No. 44 in the program’s history.

He announced his commitment to Kentucky on August 1, followed by the program announcing his signing on Aug. 14.

“Big Z is a dynamic and modern big who has guard-like skills but can make a major impact around the rim,” head coach John Calipari said last week. “Defensively, he is an elite shot blocker who moves well for being 7-foot-2 and can impact the game from the outside-in because of his ability to make 3s. As excited as he is to play for us, I’m just as excited to have the opportunity to coach him. We can’t wait to get him to campus to get integrated with our team and our culture.”

Ivisic wants to play with the best, for the best at Kentucky

Pronounced ZON-uh-meer EE-vee-sitch, the newest Wildcat averaged 11.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game in the FIBA U20 European Championship representing his home country of Croatia this summer. He shot 34% from three while averaging just under 20 minutes per contest.

Suiting up for SC Derby in Montenegro the past two seasons, Ivisic averaged 5.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in the Adriatic League. His best outing with the club came in the playoffs, putting up 22 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks against eventual champion Partizan.

“I decided to come to Kentucky because it is the best spot in the U.S. for talented basketball players,” Ivišić said. “Coach Calipari is a Hall of Fame coach that has helped more players get to the NBA than anyone else.”

Ivisic joins fellow freshmen Aaron Bradshaw, Jordan Burks, Rob Dillingham, Justin Edwards, Joey Hart, Reed Sheppard and D.J. Wagner, along with graduate transfer Tre Mitchell, as new additions for the Wildcats. Antonio Reeves, Adou Thiero and Ugonna Onyenso make up the returning pieces from last year’s rotation.

Official uniform numbers for 2023-24

• 0 – Rob Dillingham
• 1 – Justin Edwards
• 2 – Aaron Bradshaw
• 3 – Adou Thiero
• 4 – Tre Mitchell
• 12 – Antonio Reeves
• 13 – Grant Darbyshire
• 14 – Brennan Canada
• 15 – Reed Sheppard
• 20 – Joey Hart
• 21 – D.J. Wagner
• 22 – Walker Horn
• 23 – Jordan Burks
• 25 – Kareem Watkins
• 33 – Ugonna Onyenso
• 44 – Zvonimir Ivisic