Former Kentucky Player Becomes John Calipari's 1st Arkansas Commitment

16/04/2024 01:09

After becoming Arkansas' new men's basketball head coach, John Calipari remarked that he currently has "no team." He began the rebuilding process by bringing a big man with him from Kentucky.

Zvonimir Ivisic revealed Monday night that he's transferring to Arkansas. The 7-foot-2 center will reunite with Calipari after playing 15 games off the bench as a freshman.

"I made the lifetime decision to come to college for [a] few reasons. Main ones [are] to win a national championship and go to the NBA. Monumental part of that decision was coach Cal, and no one does both of those at the same time [better] than him," Ivisic wrote on social media. "That's why I am excited to announce that I am committing to coach Cal and Arkansas Razorbacks."

Ivisic joined Kentucky as a four-star recruit from Croatia last year. However, the NCAA didn't clear him to play until Jan. 20.

Upon his arrival, Ivisic averaged 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.

Receiving some more playing time down the stretch, Ivisic scored a career-high 18 points and four blocks in a 117-95 win over Alabama on Feb. 24. He tallied 12 points and nine rebounds in a 111-102 victory over Arkansas on March 2.

Ivisic called his one year at Kentucky the "best experience" and said he'll "forever be grateful" to fans for embracing him as one of their own. He also praised Calipari's replacement, Mark Pope, as an "amazing guy" and "great coach."

Landing Ivisic is a strong start for Calipari, but he has plenty of more work to do. He inherited a team with zero returning scholarship players.