Zvonimir Ivišić became an instant sensation for Kentucky on Saturday. The 7-foot-2 Croatian phenom made the greatest debut in college hoops history within hours of getting cleared to play by the NCAA.
Ivišić, whose name is pronounced ZVON-uh-meer EE-VEE-sitch, goes by Big Z. And Big Z is awesome.
The ultra-hyped European prospect committed to play for the Wildcats in August. It was a big deal that he chose to play college basketball over professional opportunities overseas and NIL likely played a role. However, his arrival was delayed by complications with first his ability to get into the country and then his ability start school.
Due to issues with the school’s admissions process, his enrollment was delayed until mid-October. Ivišić entered part-term courses in Lexington and waited patiently for word that he was eligible to play.
Head coach John Calipari called it unfair. Kentucky fans even raised money to put up a ‘#FreeBigZ’ billboard near NCAA headquarters.
Ivišić was finally freed on Saturday morning. It was emotional.
Calipari even credited the billboard for making a difference in the process.
The 20-year-old true freshman played his first game just a few hours after getting the news. Rupp Arena was ready to go, but they never could have predicted what was to come.
Zvonimir Ivišić’s debut for Kentucky basketball was straight out of Hollywood.
Big Z is one of three seven-footers on the Wildcats roster. He came off fo the bench about four minutes into the first half and immediately made an impact.
Ivišić recorded his first career block 31 seconds in, dropped a flashy behind-the-back assist just moments later, and went 4-for-4 from the field — including three deep triples. The roof could hardly withstand the raucous as he ultimately finished with 13 points, five rebounds, three blocks, two steals and two assists in 16 total minutes.
If that wasn’t epic enough, Big Z also received a flagrant foul and a technical foul for doing a chin-up on the rim after a big dunk during the second half. He literally checked all of the boxes!
7’2 Freshman Zvonimir Ivisic Made his College Debut today for the 2024 Champ frontrunners today vs Georgia..
— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) January 21, 2024
13 PTS (5-7 FG, 3-4 3PT)
5 REBS
2 AST
2 STLS
3 BLKS
How we feeling bout his game after seeing his debut????? pic.twitter.com/CRspZeRcpj
Ivišić also threw in a Michael Jordan shrug — just for good measure.
Even his water breaks were entertaining!
Kentucky legend Dan Issel (who went on to become an ABA and NBA All-Star before serving as an NBA head coach, general manager and president) had not posted on Twitter in more than 18 months. Big Z’s remarkable debut was enough to break his silence.
Needless to say, the hype is real. Zvonimir Ivišić is awesome.
It is a shame that the NCAA robbed him of 16 games. Long live Big Z!