Kentucky basketball losing ground as a destination for top prospects

INDIANAPOLIS — Kentucky basketball is falling farther away from being the kind of program that could pull a Zvonimir Ivisic.

The 7-foot-2 Croatian, who played his freshman season at UK, will take the floor for Illinois on Saturday against Connecticut in the Final Four. If the Illini are to reach Monday’s national championship game, chances are he’ll play a role in slowing UConn’s leading scorer and rebounder, Tarris Reed.

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The junior center has been a critical defensive presence. Ivisic, who averages just 6.6 points and 4.6 rebounds, ranks fourth nationally in block percentage (12.9%) according to KenPom.com. (The nation’s leader was another former UK big, Ugonna Onyenso, who transferred to Virginia.)

He is by no means a star, but a solid contributor. Kentucky has plenty such players. What it no longer has, though, is the kind of gravitas it took to get him to the United States from Croatia back in 2023.

Playing at UK was the equivalent of living the American Dream for Ivisic, who at the time was considered a potential top NBA Draft prospect. Under coach Mark Pope right now, Kentucky is no longer a destination program.

That’s not to say he can’t make it back into one, but it is reflective of the struggle the Cats are having at getting through to recruits.

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Ivisic, who also played a season under John Calipari at Arkansas before transferring to Illinois, fondly recalled his one season at Kentucky. Despite having his enrollment delayed by the university and having the NCAA stall out his eligibility, he smiled when remembering the billboard within blocks of the NCAA eligibility center UK fans raised more than $4,000 to purchase and display: “Hey guys, #FreeBigZ. Sincerely, Kentucky.”

“I’m really grateful for the fans back then,” Ivisic said Thursday. “They did a lot for me, and I’ll always appreciate that.”

Zvonimir Ivisic #44 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the Sweet…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kentucky-basketball-losing-ground-destination-091142497.html

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Publish date : 2026-04-03 09:11:00

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