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Zvonimir Ivisic Shares Emotions of Learning He Was Eligible and First Kentucky Game, “It Felt Unreal”

Published

2 years ago

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Kentucky Wildcats center Zvonimir Ivisic smiles after hitting a shot in Rupp Arena.
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

When John Calipari challenged his players to come up with a word to define their new year, Zvonimir Ivisic answered, “Patient”. Demonstrating patience is easier said than done, but the Croatian seven-footer has lived by it since pledging to play for Kentucky on August 1st last year.

First, Ivisic had to wait two-plus months to be admitted to Kentucky, then another three-plus months to be deemed eligible by the NCAA. He could have easily gone back home, but he didn’t. He wanted to be a part of the Kentucky basketball program and he never lost hope of that, “I was hoping for it, I was praying. I didn’t even think about it that it won’t come.”

On Saturday morning, the good news that many doubted would ever come, finally arrived as Ivisic announced he was eligible on social media.

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“I’m free.”

Learning the news from Kentucky Compliance Director, Kevin Sergent, Ivisic was overcome with emotions and shared a moment with John Calipari. “We cried, we both cried,” Ivisic told the media after the game. “It was crazy. I was running like crazy because I was nervous. I didn’t know what to do. I was too happy and excited.”

Happy and excited to step on the court for the first, no one knew what to expect. “I may play him (Ivisic) five minutes. I may play him ten. Let him get his feet wet” Calipari told the team before the game. Ivisic certainly got his feet wet, but by diving in head-first.

Checking in for the first time at the 16-minute media timeout, Big Blue Nation welcomed Ivisic to the court with a loud applause. At that moment, it was real, Ivisic was finally playing for Kentucky. “It felt unreal,” Ivisic told KY Insider after the game. “I was just listening to the crowd. I didn’t even know where to go. I was going to the right, left. I was just watching someone who was in with me, someone calling me.”

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Ivisic’s game started with a block. Then a behind-the-back pass to Antonio Reeves for a three. Then four consecutive made shots, including three three-pointers. Within minutes, Ivisic put his name in Kentucky basketball lore in a debut like few have ever seen.

Ivisic finished the game with 13 points (3-4 3P), 5 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists, and 2 steals, in just 16 minutes. After all that he had endured, it was a moment of vindication as his patience and dedication had paid off.

Has Kentucky seen the best of Big Z? “I don’t know. You’ll see,” he said in his postgame interview with a smile.

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Men's Basketball

Star Forward Milan Momcilovic Chooses Kentucky Over Louisville and Arizona

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1 day ago

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June 1, 2026

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Photo via AOL

The wait is over BBN!

Milan Momcilovic has officially announced that he will be playing his senior year of college basketball at Kentucky, suiting up in the blue and white for Mark Pope and the Wildcats!

The 6-foot-8 wing averaged 16.9 points per game in the 2025-26 season, leading the nation in 3-pointers made (136) and percentage from deep (48.7%).

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Momcilovic is mostly ranked as No. 2 in most portal rankings, but ESPN has the former Cyclone as the No. 1 overall player. With that being said, this technically serves as Pope’s first No. 1 transfer during his tenure at Kentucky.

Pulling his name out of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday, May 27, Kentucky was seemingly the favorite to land the wing during the entire sweepstakes due to positional need, scheme fit and money available to spend. He could even play another year with the Kentucky Wildcats if the “5-in-5” rule is passed and he forgoes the draft again.

Putting Pat Kelsey in a locker and outbidding him on a recruit is always great for morale, but this fills the much-needed star spot for next year’s roster. Pope and his staff have shaped the team with plenty of skilled players, but Momcilovic adds that extra layer of shooting and will serve as the go-to guy when a game may be on the line.

This will be the final player added to the 2026-27 team, with an insert at the starting small forward position in Momcilovic’s future. Pope and the Big Blue Nation have their guy, and soon enough, we’ll see the Pewaukee, Wisconsin native on Rupp Arena’s court.

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Men's Basketball

National Reporter Matt Norlander Chooses Kentucky as Landing Spot for Star Forward Milan Momcilovic

Published

6 days ago

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May 28, 2026

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Photo via Imagn Images

The Milan Momcilovic sweepstakes is underway, with multiple teams involved in the No. 2 overall transfer player’s recruitment. It is believed that Kentucky and Louisville are the top candidates after his decision to pull out from the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday, May 27.

Along with the in-state rivals, Arizona and St. John’s are both very well still in the mix, but the Red Storm are slowly falling out of contention after landing Baylor’s Tounde Yessoufou.

On May 28, national reporter Matt Norlander cleared the air on CBS Sports’ Eye On College Basketball podcast, stating that he believes Kentucky will land Momcilovic by the end of the weekend or Monday.

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“My prediction right now is that Milan Momcilovic will go to Kentucky,” Norlander said. “My understanding is that decision is going to come in the next one, two, three days, four days max.”

He would go on to talk about the other top programs involved, stating why he thinks they will be working in an uphill battle in this bidding war.

“My forecast is that it’s Kentucky, but you know, we’ll see if Louisville can get in there,” he continued. “Arizona I don’t think has the money to contend, like I think Kentucky and Louisville just have more money to play with.”

For the worried members of the Big Blue Nation, this is certainly good news to be put out by one of the most trusted college basketball reporters at the national level.

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Going by this report and Adam Zagoria’s from NYT Sports, it shouldn’t be long until a commitment decision for Momcilovic is announced publicly.

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Men's Basketball

BREAKING: No. 2 Ranked Transfer Milan Momcilovic Removes Name From 2026 NBA Draft

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6 days ago

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May 27, 2026

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Kamil Krzaczynski | Imagn Images

Milan Momcilovic has officially removed his named from the 2026 NBA Draft and will return to college for his senior season.

Kentucky leads in his recruitment, followed closely by St. John’s, Louisville and Arizona. A backdoor to Iowa State is also still open.

The No. 2 ranked transfer would be a huge addition to Kentucky’s 2026-27 roster if he committed, averaging 16.9 points per game on 50.6/48.7/87.8 shooting splits last year. Funny enough, in the current world of college athletics that we live in, Momcilovic was responsible for eliminating the Wildcats from the NCAA Tournament, dropping 20 points in the Round of 32.

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He would go on to lose to Tennessee in the Sweet 16 with Iowa State, so at least we know that there’s some inner-hatred for a long-standing rival if he ends up a Wildcat.

He made the most three-point shots in Division I basketball and is a versatile 6-foot-8 wing, which would fit perfectly into Mark Pope’s offensive system. He completed workouts with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves during the draft process.

Now, the bidding war for the top dog begins, with some of the most prestigious programs in the sport placing their bets on the star forward.

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