Huge Deal: As John Calipari part ways with Kentucky to Join Arkansas, Zvonimir Ivisic announced his decision to commit with….

Huge Deal: As John Calipari part ways with Kentucky to Join Arkansas, Zvonimir Ivisic announced his decision to commit with….

Arkansas secures commitment from Kentucky transfer forward Zvonimir Ivisic.

Former Kentucky forward Zvonimir Ivisic has made the decision to transfer to Arkansas, following head coach John Calipari via the NCAA Transfer Portal. Ivisic entered the transfer portal on April 13.

Standing at 7 feet 2 inches, the Croatian player spent just one season with the Wildcats, appearing in 15 games. During his time at Kentucky, he averaged 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, showcasing shooting percentages of 57.7% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc.

Ivisic’s playing time with Kentucky was limited as he was not cleared by the NCAA to play until Jan. 20. However, in his debut game, he impressed with 13 points in only 16 minutes, including three successful 3-pointers.

Ivisic showcased a remarkable performance in Kentucky’s dominant 117-95 victory over Alabama, achieving a career-high 18 points on 7-11 shooting. Given this strong connection, it’s unsurprising to see Ivisic follow Calipari to Arkansas.

Within less than a day of Arkansas formally announcing Calipari as the new head coach, Ivisic shared a photo on his Instagram of the 65-year-old wearing Arkansas attire. Calipari played a pivotal role in assisting Ivisic with eligibility to compete.

Calipari expressed his frustration with the NCAA’s reluctance to grant Ivisic eligibility, stating, “It’s not fair.” He emphasized Ivisic’s dedication academically and as a teammate, highlighting his positive attitude despite the challenges. Calipari recounted a recent conversation with Ivisic where he expressed regret over how Ivisic was treated, to which Ivisic responded positively, indicating his resilience. Calipari emphasized that Ivisic, at just 20 years old, deserved better treatment considering his circumstances as an amateur athlete. He appealed to empathy, asking listeners to imagine if it were their own child facing similar obstacles.

Now, Zvonimir Ivisic will have the opportunity to excel throughout an entire season. Additionally, he will find himself in a familiar environment.