It took one call from Coach Cal for Big Z to know Kentucky was home

FF-264750 — Photo by Dr. Michael Huang | Kentucky Sports Radio

Zvonimir Ivisic had just averaged 11.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game at the U20 European Championships, the event running from July 8-16 in Greece. The 7-2 forward withdrew from the 2023 NBA Draft as a likely second-rounder and had begun turning his attention to another season with SC Derby in Montenegro — his brother, Tomislav Ivisic, is still there.

And then his phone rang, an 859 number from the United States.

“Coach Cal called me. I was shocked at first because I didn’t know — it just happened,” Ivisic said on KT and Tone this week. “I got a call, I answered, it was Coach and he introduced himself.”

The idea of playing college basketball hadn’t really been discussed. No one had expressed interest up to that point — “Coach Cal was first,” he added — so why dream of something that’s not even on the table?

Then Calipari made it a reality.

“Obviously, I knew who he was already. It was just like a quick call. After that, I called my family, obviously. I was at the European championship, the Under-20 in Greece. I was there and got the call at the end of the competition. I was just like, phew, happy and excited, of course. I knew immediately when he called me.”

And just like that, Big Z was a Wildcat without a single doubt in his mind. By August 1, he was publicly committed to Kentucky.

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“He told me he wanted me to come play for him here and I knew I wanted to do that,” Ivisic said. “Immediately, I wanted to do it. I was already into it, I’m coming there. That’s it, no matter what.”

The wait was long and stressful, but he’s officially eligible and finally suiting up for the first college program to give him a shot. Has it lived up to the hype?

“Damn. There’s chemistry, there’s connection, there is everything one team needs. We are special,” Ivisic said of this Kentucky roster. “I really think we’re a special team and we’re going to make something of it this year for sure. I really believe it.”

Entering the month of July, he had no idea what his future looked like. Six months later, he’s in John Calipari’s rotation looking to win a national championship as a Wildcat.