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John Calipari Says Zvonimir Ivisic Is Suffering Mentally Amidst Eligibility Case, Criticizes NCAA

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2 years ago

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John Calipari coaching Kentucky big man Zvonimir Ivisic at Kentucky Basketball practice.

Zvonimir Ivisic arrived in Lexington 71 days ago, with the understanding that he would have the file to be eligible with the NCAA, but also the expectation that he would be available to play fairly soon. Once thought to be the first seven-footer Kentucky would have in the lineup with Aaron Bradshaw and Ugonna Onyenso still recovering from offseason injuries, he has still not been cleared by the NCAA.

According to John Calipari, it’s starting to take a toll on Ivisic mentally and physically.

“All that he’s been through — He was 242 (pounds). He went down to 219. Not sleeping, struggling to eat. You know what I am saying,” Calipari said. This comes after Ivisic, on Wednesday, said he would be going home for Christmas, which Calipari says he is good with. “The best thing for him, not for me. He needs to get home. He needs to be around his family.”

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Ivisic will return in time for the Illinois State game next Friday, and Calipari says they hope to hear something by then. However, chances are slim to none that will happen as the NCAA Eligibility Center is closed until January 2nd.

That said, Ivisic’s eligibility case is now past the point of frustration, it is unfair to a young man who clearly wants to be a part of the Kentucky program. At this point, the hold-up seems to be the amateurism aspect. According to the NCAA, to receive an amateurism certificate, an athlete cannot receive money that exceeds “actual and necessary expenses.”

That is a broad rule and one that does not fit in the current collegiate athletics landscape with NIL.

“You do know juniors/seniors make hundreds of thousands in high school. High school,” Calipari stated. “‘Well, it’s stated different’. Stop it. That’s why we are in this position. The Supreme Court and every court says no, you can’t do it that way.”

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Ivisic is not the first international player to seek NCAA eligibility in the NIL, but the vast majority have been cleared. For example, just look at UCLA who brought in Aday Mara (Spain) and Berke Buyuktuncel (Turkey) this offseason, who have both since been cleared.

Both played for European club teams, had agents, and received money. Mara specifically was even sued by his former club team for breach of contract, seeking a $608,000 exit fee.

The best case scenario is that Ivisic is cleared. Even if he is denied, there is some belief that Kentucky would sue the NCAA. However, nothing can be done until an answer is given one way or another. The further Ivisic’s case goes without an answer, the less likely it is that he will play for Kentucky.

Until then, we can only hope.

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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

Published

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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