Amanda Knapp
Zvonimir Ivišić, nicknamed Big Z, is a Croatian college basketball player who formerly played for the Kentucky Wildcats. Ivišić was born in Vitez, Bosnia and Herzegovina and moved to Šibenik, Croatia when he was 14 years old. He rejoined the Kentucky Wildcats in 2024 after a trip back home to Croatia for the holidays. In 2025, Ivišić entered the transfer portal and committed to playing for the Illinois Fighting Illini.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Zvonimir Ivišić |
| Nickname | Big Z |
| Born | 9 August 2003 |
| Birthplace | Vitez, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Parents | Mladenko and Marina Ivišić |
| Siblings | Nikola, Jelena, and Tomislav |
| Favourite Movie | Harry Potter |
| Favourite TV Show | Game of Thrones |
| Off-court Talent | Playing the harmonica |
| Former Teams | Kentucky Wildcats, Arkansas Razorbacks, SC Derby, Šibenka |
| Current Team | Illinois Fighting Illini |
| Height | 7'2" |
| Weight | 234 lbs |
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What You'll Learn
'Big Z' is the nickname of Croatian basketball player Zvonimir Ivisic
Big Z is the nickname of Croatian basketball player Zvonimir Ivisic, who was born in Vitez, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on 9 August 2003. Standing at 7 feet 2 inches tall, Ivisic is an imposing presence on the court and has been playing basketball since he was 14 years old when he moved to Šibenik, Croatia.
Ivisic's talent was first recognised when he played for the Croatia national under-16 basketball team in the 2019 FIBA U16 European Championship. He averaged 13.9 points and 6.9 rebounds in that tournament, and his performance led to him being invited to the 2022 NBA Combine. Ivisic has also played for SC Derby of the Montenegrin Basketball League and the ABA League from 2020 to 2023.
In 2023, Ivisic committed to play college basketball in the United States for the University of Kentucky, joining the Kentucky Wildcats. However, he encountered eligibility issues with the NCAA, which prevented him from playing until halfway through the Wildcats' season. Despite this setback, Ivisic made a strong collegiate debut on January 20, 2024, contributing 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, three blocks, and two steals in a 16-minute appearance against Georgia, which ended in a 105-96 victory for his team.
Following his time with the Kentucky Wildcats, Ivisic transferred to the University of Arkansas, playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He then moved on to play for the Illinois Fighting Illini of the Big Ten Conference. Throughout his college basketball career, Ivisic has demonstrated his skills as a versatile player, capable of handling the ball and shooting from distance. He has also shown promise with his defensive abilities, recovery skills, and natural shot-altering length.
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Ivisic played for the University of Kentucky's Wildcats
Zvonimir Ivišić, nicknamed "Big Z", is a Croatian college basketball player. Standing at 7 feet 2 inches tall, he played for the University of Kentucky's Wildcats before transferring to the Arkansas Razorbacks and then the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Ivišić was born in Vitez, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and moved to Šibenik, Croatia, when he was 14 years old. He played for SC Derby of the Montenegrin Basketball League and the ABA League from 2020 to 2023. During this time, he also represented Croatia in international youth basketball, playing in the 2019 FIBA U16 European Championship and the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championship.
In 2022 and 2023, Ivišić declared for the NBA Draft but ultimately withdrew both times. He then committed to playing college basketball in the United States for the University of Kentucky. However, there were complications with his eligibility status, and the NCAA did not clear him to play until halfway through the Wildcats' season. Ivišić made his collegiate debut on January 20, 2024, against Georgia, and had an impressive performance with 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, three blocks, and two steals in just 16 minutes of play, helping his team secure a 105–96 win.
During his freshman season with the Wildcats, Ivišić averaged 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks over 15 games played. However, following the departure of Kentucky's head coach John Calipari to Arkansas, Ivišić also transferred to Arkansas, and then later to Illinois, where he currently plays alongside his twin brother Tomislav, who is also a professional basketball player.
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Ivisic rejoined the team after a trip home to Croatia
Zvonimir "Big Z" Ivisic, the 7-foot-2 basketball player from Vitez, Bosnia and Herzegovina, has rejoined the Kentucky Wildcats after a trip home to Croatia. Ivisic, who was born on 9 August 2003, moved to Šibenik, Croatia when he was 14 years old. He played for SC Derby of the Montenegrin Basketball League and the ABA League from 2020 to 2023. Ivisic's collegiate debut was on January 20, 2024, against Georgia, where he scored 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, three blocks, and two steals in 16 minutes during a 105–96 win.
Ivisic's return to the team is significant as many believed he would remain in Croatia due to the NCAA's delay in determining his eligibility status. John Calipari, the head coach of Kentucky Wildcats, stated that Ivisic had been struggling with the situation, which prompted the decision to send him home for the holidays. Despite the challenges, Ivisic rejoined his teammates before their trip to Florida for the SEC opener.
Ivisic's eligibility status with the NCAA remains unresolved at the time of his return. The hold-up is partly attributed to Ivisic having earned money while playing professionally in Croatia. His outstanding performance in the Montenegrin Basketball League and the ABA League raised questions about his amateur status, which is a key factor in determining NCAA eligibility.
While awaiting the NCAA's decision, Ivisic's presence with the Kentucky Wildcats provides optimism for the team and its fans. His height and skills as a center are valuable assets, and his return comes as a relief, especially with the team's current ranking in the AP Poll. Ivisic's dedication to rejoining the team demonstrates his commitment and perseverance in the face of adversity.
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Ivisic entered the NCAA transfer portal in 2025
Zvonimir "Big Z" Ivisic, a 7-foot-2 Croatian college basketball player, entered the NCAA transfer portal in 2025. Ivisic, who was born in Vitez, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and moved to Šibenik, Croatia, at age 14, had played for the Arkansas Razorbacks and Kentucky Wildcats of the Southeastern Conference.
Ivisic's collegiate debut was delayed due to eligibility issues with the NCAA, and he eventually made his first appearance on January 20, 2024, against Georgia, recording 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, three blocks, and two steals in 16 minutes of play during a 105–96 win. During his freshman season, he averaged 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks over 15 games.
Ivisic's playing time at Arkansas during his sophomore season was inconsistent, and he ultimately entered the NCAA transfer portal in 2025. In his 35 games for the Razorbacks, he averaged 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds, including 19 starts. Ivisic's decision to enter the transfer portal was influenced by the departure of Kentucky head coach John Calipari, whom he followed to Arkansas.
Ivisic has had a notable basketball career, playing for SC Derby of the Montenegrin Basketball League and the ABA League from 2020 to 2023. He also represented Croatia in the 2019 FIBA U16 European Championship and the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championship, showcasing his talent on the international stage.
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Ivisic transferred to the University of Illinois
Zvonimir "Big Z" Ivisic is a Croatian college basketball player. Born in Vitez, Bosnia and Herzegovina, he moved to Šibenik, Croatia, at the age of 14. Ivisic initially committed to playing college basketball for the University of Kentucky. However, he faced challenges with his eligibility status and struggled to obtain clearance from the NCAA. After playing for the Kentucky Wildcats, Ivisic transferred to the Arkansas Razorbacks, following head coach John Calipari.
Ivisic played for the Razorbacks during the 2024-25 season, starting in 19 out of 35 games. He averaged 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, showcasing his all-around impact on the court. Ivisic also led the Arkansas team in 3-point shooting with an impressive 37.6% accuracy rate. His strong performance and potential were recognised by Illinois coach Brad Underwood, who praised Ivisic as an "exciting, impactful player on both ends of the floor."
Following his sophomore season, Ivisic made the decision to transfer to the University of Illinois. This move was influenced by the presence of his twin brother, Tomislav Ivisic, who was already a part of the Illinois Fighting Illini basketball program. With two years of eligibility remaining, Ivisic joined the Illinois team through the transfer portal, marking the third school in three years for the 7-foot-2 Croatian athlete.
The University of Illinois men's basketball team gained a significant boost with the addition of Ivisic. His height, skills, and experience were expected to positively impact the team's performance. Ivisic's decision to transfer to Illinois presented a new chapter in his college basketball journey, offering him the opportunity to develop his talents further and contribute to the success of his new team.
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Frequently asked questions
Big Z is the nickname of Zvonimir Ivišić, a Croatian college basketball player.
Zvonimir Ivišić was born in Vitez, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ivišić moved to Šibenik, Croatia when he was 14 years old.
Ivišić has played for SC Derby of the Montenegrin Basketball League and the ABA League. He has also played for the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Kentucky Wildcats, and the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Ivišić is known for his court vision and passing skills. He is also said to have a sweet stroke from deep, and if he muscled up, he could be a force in the paint.
