UK Athletics Contributed
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky men’s basketball head coach John Calipari announced Monday the addition of Zvonimir Ivišić (pronounced ZON-uh-meer EE-vee-sitch) to the Wildcats’ 2023-24 roster. Ivišić, a 7-foot-2, 220-pound forward from Vitez, Croatia, is the ninth newcomer to join the Wildcats, joining freshmen Aaron Bradshaw, Jordan Burks, Rob Dillingham, Justin Edwards, Joey Hart, Reed Sheppard and D.J. Wagner and graduate transfer Tre Mitchell.
In Ivišić’s latest action, he averaged 11.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game in the FIBA U20 European Championship for his home country of Croatia. He also shot 34% from 3-point range and averaged nearly 20 minutes a game.
“Big Z is a dynamic and modern big who has guard-like skills but can make a major impact around the rim,” Calipari said. “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.”
For the past two seasons, Ivišić has been playing in Montenegro for SC Derby. He averaged 5.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in the Adriatic League. During the playoffs, Ivišić produced his best outing with 22 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks against European League side 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.”