DJ Wagner: Nothing Zvonimir Ivisic does in games surprises his teammates
Zvonimir Ivisic is an anomaly. The 7-foot-2 Croatian will throw down a monster jam only to snap off a sweet behind-the-back pass moments later. In Kentucky’s 111-102 win over Arkansas, Ivisic tallied 12 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.
While fans are left in awe every time Ivisic makes a ridiculous play, DJ Wagner just smiles. After Kentucky’s victory, the standout guard revealed his perspective on “Big Z’s” jaw-dropping style of play.
“He’s a great player, a smart player,” Wagner said. “All the things he do on the court it don’t really surprise none of us because we see it all the practice and just how much work everybody put in. We all got confidence in each other. Big Z been showing how much he can play and how talented he is, really how skilled he is, just doing all the things he can do on the court.”
Ivisic was a late bloomer for Kentucky, against his will. Despite gaining admission to the University of Kentucky before the season, Ivisic did not receiver his waiver to play from the NCAA until Jan. 20. He didn’t allow his eligibility to go to waste.
In Ivisic’s first game as a Wildcat, he exploded for 13 points and three blocks while shooting 5-7 from the field and 3-4 from beyond the arc. The 20-year-old talent nearly blew the roof off Rupp Arena in only 16 minutes of play.
Following his breakout performance, Ivisic took a step back in Kentucky’s rotation. It wasn’t until Feb. 24, Ivisic played more than 15 minutes again. He made the most of his opportunity, dropping 18 points, five rebounds and four blocks in Kentucky’s upset victory over No. 13 Alabama.
In Kentucky’s two games since, Ivisic has played 20 or more minutes in each contest. On Saturday, Calipari addressed his freshman center’s uptick in playing time.
“You guys have to understand now, Z hadn’t played basketball for six months. It took him two months to get admitted,” Calipari said. “It took him another two months for them to say he should have been playing. He should have been playing from the beginning of the year.
“Now, all of a sudden, he hadn’t played in six months. Do you know who reminded me of that? Reed [Sheppard]. ‘Coach, Z is really good. You have to understand he hadn’t played for six months.’ Reed reminded me. And I said, ‘I know that, what do you think I’m not watching?'”
Zvonimir Ivisic will look to keep the good times rolling on Wednesday when Kentucky squares off against Vanderbilt at 9 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.