Zvonimir Ivisic will make his Kentucky debut in the Blue-White Game

You’re about to see a lot more than layup lines from Zvonimir Ivisic in a Kentucky uniform.

Making his unofficial debut with the Wildcats, the 7-foot-2 forward out of Croatia walked the Blue Carpet before Big Blue Madness and was brought out to a roar from the fanbase inside Rupp Arena during player introductions. Down the steps and through the smoke and fireworks, he walked to the end of the runway and grabbed the guardrail, pausing to soak in his first moment as a college basketball player.

Highlight of the night: Big Z is introduced to BBN for the first time pic.twitter.com/Cw6LfLqOsC

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) October 14, 2023

The extent of his on-court time consisted of a few windmills and tomahawk slams in the layup line before making his way to the Kentucky bench to watch the rest of the event with the coaching staff and team personnel. Short and sweet.

Fitting right in. pic.twitter.com/2LRomQE9I2

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) October 14, 2023

But you won’t have to wait long to see the real stuff, as John Calipari announced to close out the event that Ivisic would make his scrimmage debut next week at the Blue-White Game in Northern Kentucky, encouraging fans to purchase tickets to see him play in person. He also reminded fans that all proceeds will benefit the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund and the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund — an added bonus for those making the trip to Truist Arena.

It will be an important addition to the lineup, maybe even a necessary one considering Tre Mitchell is the only rotation big currently available on the roster. With Aaron Bradshaw and Ugonna Onyenso out “the next five weeks,” according to Calipari, Ivisic’s presence on the floor is critical to give the Wildcats a full five-on-five scrimmage.

Ivisic and Mitchell join DJ Wagner, Antonio Reeves, Rob Dillingham, Reed Sheppard, Justin Edwards, Joey Hart, Jordan Burks and Adou Thiero — assuming he’s back after rolling his ankle at Pro Day — as available scholarship players in the Blue-White Game with Brennan Canada, Kareem Watkins, Grant Darbyshire and Walker Horn also ready to suit up as they did at Big Blue Madness.

Slowly but surely, this team is coming together with the regular season right around the corner.