Zvonimir Ivisic is back on campus for Kentucky

John Calipari expected Zvonimir Ivisic back on campus in time for Kentucky’s trip to Gainesville for the team’s SEC opener at Florida. He was correct — with almost an immediate turnaround.

The 7-2 forward has returned to Lexington and is back on campus, KSR has learned. Ivisic returned home to Croatia over the holidays after dealing with various physical and mental adversities since joining the team.

“I had to send him home. He’s 242, down to (219),” Calipari said in a prerecorded segment during his call-in radio show Monday evening. “Come on, man. He wasn’t sleeping, eating. This stuff has gotten to him.”

His return to Kentucky comes amid speculation Ivisic strongly considered staying home to train for the draft as his eligibility remained in question with the NCAA. Nearing the midway point of the regular season with the Wildcats mostly back to full strength and seen as a firm title contender, it would have made sense for the freshman forward to turn his attention elsewhere. Instead, he made it clear he wanted to see this process through and rejoin his teammates in Lexington.

“How about this? He’s dying to get back. He wants to play for this university and these fans in the worst way,” Calipari said. “He went back and told everybody, ‘I’ve never been coached this way. I’ve never been challenged this way. I love the environment, the fans.’ He just wants to play.”

Kentucky has not yet received a final answer from the NCAA, but Calipari did confirm Monday the hold-up was related to his amateur status before joining the program. A bit ironic in today’s world of name, image and likeness where high schoolers are making life-changing money before heading off to college, no?

“If he were a pro, he’d be a pro. You can make it like he’s a pro,” Calipari said. “‘What about this, what about that, what about this?’ What about the junior that’s making a million dollars and he’s in high school and will go play college basketball? This is common sense stuff. This is why we get into the he-say, she-say and ‘We’re gonna let this kid play and not that kid.’ That’s why I said it in Louisville, the Supreme Court, every court case — common sense. Common sense.”

One way or another, Coach Cal wants clarity from the NCAA.

“Hopefully this kid plays sooner than later.”

Calipari will be seeking it with Ivisic back in Lexington and with the team.