Whether or not the billboards worked, Kentucky basketball fans can go into Saturday night's game against Georgia knowing one thing: Big Z is free.
Zvonimir Ivisic was cleared to play by the NCAA on Saturday, ending a saga that had the Wildcats pulling out their hair for 16 games.
"Hey BBN. Guess what? I'm free," the seven-footer said in a video posted to social media. "See y'all tonight at the game. And thank you all for the support. Go BBN."
— Zvonimir Ivisic (@zvonimir_ivisic) January 20, 2024
Mitch Barnhart confirmed the news on Twitter while Ivisic's teammates posted their own reactions across social media.
We’re happy to share that @zvonimir_ivisic is eligible to play.
— Mitch Barnhart (@UKMitchBarnhart) January 20, 2024
Want to thank everyone at the @universityofky, our @UKAthletics staff and the @NCAA for working through this. Exciting time for @UKCoachCalipari, @KentuckyMBB and #BBN. Go Big Blue! pic.twitter.com/q7sJn0Mb7D
Kentucky’s roster shares their excitement on the news of Zvonimir Ivisic being granted eligibility.
— Tres Terrell (@TerrellTres) January 20, 2024
Aaron Bradshaw, Antonio Reeves, Reed Sheppard, Walker Horn — the list goes on.
Whether he plays or not, the team sure is in great spirits after the long-awaited news. pic.twitter.com/Ma5DoQJTUI
Kentucky basketball fans were pumped to hear the news, that's for sure.
ZVONIMIR IVISIC NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR RUN BEGINS TONIGHT pic.twitter.com/WJG7YTdh1K
— Archive Joe KSR (@KSRArchive_Joe) January 20, 2024
🚨BREAKING: Kentucky’s Zvonimir Ivisic has been CLEARED BY THE NCAA
— Blue Chips (@UKBlueChips) January 20, 2024
The 7’3 Wing dubbed “Croatia’s Unicorn” will be IMMEDIATELY ELIGIBLE 🤯
Big Z is FREE ‼️🔥
pic.twitter.com/Zz3u5kg2R8
Big Z is a free man!! https://t.co/Q4elM5o4sQ pic.twitter.com/AgGPH4V4Kv
— Stacey Gallagher (@StaceyG1727) January 20, 2024
Big Z is FREE!!!! pic.twitter.com/MUWJkGjfmj
— Jason Parrish (@JasonParrish24) January 20, 2024
What was the hold up anyways?
Why couldn't Zvonimir Ivisic play for Kentucky before now?
Ivisic is from Croatia and committed to the Wildcats in August. However, he had complications with the admissions process to join Kentucky and didn't get to campus until October. Then the NCAA complications started because he played for a semi-professional team in Europe, per Kyle Tucker of The Athletic. The NCAA wanted proof that he maintained his amateur status "by not receiving compensation beyond necessary expenses."
Why it took so long to clear that up is anyone's guess. This is the NCAA we're talking about. They're not exactly the quickest bunch.
What's important now is that Big Z is available to play on Saturday against Georgia and for the rest of the season.
The 7-foot-2 center is expected to play this season instead of redshirting. He averaged 11.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 blocks in the FIBA U20 European Championships over the summer. It will be interesting to see how his game translates to the college level.
The Wildcats rank No. 8 going into the game against the Bulldogs after dropping last weekend's overtime matchup with Texas A&M. It's tough to say what kind of an impact Ivisic will have stepping in during the middle of the season but it'll be better to find out than wonder any longer.