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Kentucky Adds Croatian Seven-Footer Zvonimir Ivisic to 2023 Roster

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Kentucky Wildcat commit Zvonimir Ivisic playing internationally for Croatia
FIBA Basketball

While it is the end of July, the Kentucky basketball staff is not finished adding to this season’s roster. On Thursday, KY Insider reported that the Kentucky staff had shown interest in Croatian big man Zvonimir Ivisic. By Tuesday morning, the staff had locked it up as they secured a commitment from Ivisic.

On Tuesday morning, at 6:00 AM EST (12:00 PM Croatian time), Ivisic posted a no-thrills, simply typed-out Instagram story announcing his commitment to Kentucky.

News of Kentucky’s interest in Ivisic had been intentionally kept quiet, as the staff has been reportedly working on this dating back to a trip to New York City with the new La Familia Club last weekend. There they gathered a NIL package for Ivisic, who has a buyout with his club in Croatia, SC Derby.

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With this news, two immediate questions have been presented: One, are there concerns about Ivisic’s eligibility? Two, does this suggest Aaron Bradshaw or Ugonna Onyenso’s injuries are worse than expected?

With international prospects, there is typically worry about eligibility, and rightfully so as we had seen with Enes Kanter in 2011. However, the Kentucky staff wouldn’t have pursued Ivisic had they not been confident he would be eligible. As for the injuries of Bradshaw and Onyenso, nothing has changed, they are still expected to return prior to the season. With that said, timelines can change with seven-footers and foot injuries.

Now, what kind of player is Ivisic? At 7-foot-2, 220 pounds, he is not your typical back-to-the-basket center. Instead, he is more of an outside-in player with a lot of potential, but he is seen as a “project” by the NBA.

Offensively, he is more developed on the perimeter, especially when shooting off movement. Ivisic is a lob threat in the pick-and-roll. On the defensive end, he can be an anchor, as he can protect the rim and even move to recover very well.

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One last thing to note, Ivisic is 19 years old (will turn 20 on August 8th) and has been draft eligible since the 2022 NBA Draft, but has withdrawn from both the 2022 and 2023 NBA Drafts. Now at Kentucky, he will look to develop and make that jump.

With the addition of Ivisic, Kentucky certainly got better and deeper. Familiarize yourself with Ivisic in this pre-draft workout interview with the Indiana Pacers, where he even went up against former Wildcat Oscar Tshiebwe.

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BB Recruiting

Wake Forest Transfer Andrew Carr Commits to Kentucky

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Wake Forest transfer Andrew Carr has committed to play for Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats.
David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

After finalizing all but one member of the staff last week, including the official announcements of top recruiters Alvin Brooks and Jason Hart, the Kentucky Wildcats have received their third commitment in as many days.

“BOOM!” Kentucky assistant Cody Fueger tweeted out on Sunday afternoon. Just hours later, Wake Forest transfer Andrew Carr announced his commitment to Kentucky.

Carr is ranked as the 75th-best transfer by ESPN.

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Carr began his college career at Delaware, where his father and uncle both played. After two seasons, he elected to transfer to Wake Forest, where started in all 68 games. This past season, Carr was the star big man of a Demon Deacon team that won 20+ games for just the second time over the last decade.

This past season, Carr averaged career-highs in points at 13.5 per game, and rebounds at 6.8 per game. Doing so on 53% shooting from the field and 37% from deep. Per KenPom, he played primarily at the 4 spot and occasionally logged minutes at the 5, so he can play alongside Amari Williams as a stretch big. It is worth noting that Kentucky is also hosting Utah State transfer big Great Osobor for a three-day visit, alongside his family.

While Carr is experienced, his NCAA Tournament experience is limited. Playing just one tournament game, a 20-point loss to a 2-seeded Villanova team in 2022.

Watch a breakdown of the newest Wildcat below.

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Also posted on A Sea of Blue.

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Top 25 Transfer Otega Oweh Commits to Kentucky

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Oklahoma Sooners transfer Otega Oweh has comitted to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats.
NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Following Lamont Butler’s commitment to Kentucky on Friday, the Wildcats have received another commitment less than 24 hours later. This time Oklahoma transfer Otega Oweh, he announced on his social media.

This comes after Oweh visited Lexington earlier this week, with reports coming out that his recruitment could be wrapped up quickly after.

Oweh is a top 25 transfer according to 247Sports, 38th by EvanMiya, and 55th by ESPN. Listed at 6-5, 210 pounds, Oweh is a strong and physical guard. His strength and athleticism have been a strength dating back to high school, which allows him to impact the game defensively, and also to get to the rim and thrive in transition opportunities.

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In two years at Oklahoma, the area that Oweh has significantly improved in has been his shooting. As a freshman, he shot just 25 percent from three, on just four attempts for the season, to 37.7 percent as a sophomore, making 20 of his 53 attempts. Most of that success comes from catch-and-shoot opportunities, where he rates in the 87th percentile. His ability to shoot off the dribble is the polar opposite, rating in just the 4th percentile.

Oweh is a two-way player with two years of eligibility remaining, while he will bring experience, there is still room for development with NBA upside. While he may not be a primary option, he’s certainly a player that can impact the game.

Oweh is now Kentucky’s third addition from the transfer portal and sixth player overall. A handful of top transfers are visiting, or currently visiting, Kentucky this weekend. The staff is hopeful a few join the roster.

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REPORT: San Diego State Transfer Lamont Butler Commits to Kentucky

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San Diego State transfer Lamont Butler has committed to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats.
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Amidst anxiety from many of the Big Blue Nation, the Kentucky basketball program has added another player to the roster. On Friday Lamont Butler, a consensus top-60 transfer from San Diego State, committed to Kentucky, reported by On3.

Kentucky has been in contact with Butler since he entered the portal earlier this week. On Friday morning, four members of the Kentucky staff took a visit to Las Vegas, which we know now was to see Butler. It was enough to secure his commitment.

Coming out of a high school as a three-star prospect, Butler has been a true case of development. In four seasons with San Diego State, he improved his numbers year after year. As a three-year starter for the Aztecs, Butler averaged 7.7 points (41.2% FG), 2.6 assists, and 2.3 rebounds. He also received Mountain West All-Defense honors three straight seasons, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award this past year.

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Butler was a star for the San Diego State team that made it to the National Championship game in 2023, even hitting the buzzer-beater to send them to the title game. He will provide Kentucky with proven experience and the knowledge of what it takes to win.

As his defensive accolades show, Butler makes his biggest impact on the defensive side of the ball. However, he plays well within a system and is a really good passer for a guard who plays primarily off the ball, with a 21 percent assist rate. He also grades fairly well analytically on spot-up shots and in pick-and-roll situations as the ball handler.

With Butler on the roster, there are still many spots to fill, especially some spots for “dudes”. Fortunately, many big names are expected to be in Lexington this weekend for the visit.

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