First Calipari commit at Arkansas: Kentucky transfer Zvonimir “Big Z” Ivisic (7-2 forward)

By Kevin McPherson

LITTLE ROCK — The first Arkansas commitment of the John Calipari era as Head Hog is now on the board as talented Kentucky freshman transfer [b]Zvonimir “Big Z” Ivisic[/b] pledged to the Razorbacks on Monday.

Ivisic also counts as the only scholarship player for the Hoop Hogs with 12 more to fill to reach the maximum of 13 scholarship players for 2024-25.

Ivisic (7-2 forward / center, native of Vodice, Croatia) played just 15 games after sitting out the first half of the season as a freshman at Kentucky in 2023-24, but he entered the transfer portal on Saturday, April 13, just three days after Calipari was formally introduced as the new Head Hog on Wednesday, April 10.

“Today I met with (new Kentucky) Coach (Mark) Pope and had a great meeting with him,” Ivisic said in statement he posted to social media on Monday. “He’s an amazing guy and a great coach and he will do big things here! After out conversation I informed him that I will not be returning to Kentucky.

“Big Blue Nation, my amazing teammates, I love you and this has been the best experience a kid from Croatia could ask for coming to the U.S. You took me as one of your own since the first moment and the love just grew! From the billboard to the countless other things you’ve done to show love. I mean, come on. Who does that? I will forever be grateful for that and it will have a special place in my heart.

“With all that being said, I made the lifetime decision to come to college for a few reasons. Main ones to win a national championship and go to the NBA. Monumental part of that decision was Coach Cal, and no one does both of those at the same time (better) than him. That’s why I am excited to announce that I am committing to Coach Cal and the Arkansas Razorbacks! Woo Pig Sooie!!!”

In his lone half-season at UK, he averaged 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in only 11.7 minutes per game while shooting 57.7% from the field, including 6-of-16 from from 3 for 37.5%, and 77.3% from the free throw line.

Ivisic scored 13 points (including hitting 3-of-4 from 3) to go with 5 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists, and 2 steals in his Division 1 debut in Kentucky’s 105-96 home win over Georgia on Jan. 20.

He scored in double-figures a total of four games, including his career-high of 18 points to go with 5 rebounds and 4 blocks in the Wildcats’ 117-95 home win over Alabama on Feb. 24. He had six games of recording multiple blocks.

Ivisic has three seasons of remaining playing eligibility.

Ivisic is long, skilled with face-up shooting game all the way out to the three-point line, and he has a plus floor IQ and instincts as a defender. He has starter-value potential next season as a sophomore.