Arkansas' Zvonimir Ivisic Enters the Transfer Portal

A Rollercoaster Season for Ivisic

After following head coach John Calipari from Kentucky to Arkansas, Ivisic had an up-and-down campaign with the Razorbacks. He averaged 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting an efficient 47.3% from the field and 37.6% from three-point range.

Despite flashes of brilliance, such as a career-best 27 points against Alabama on Feb. 8 and another stellar 25-point performance against LSU just days later, his minutes fluctuated. In total, he scored in double figures 16 times during the season.

Inconsistent Playing Time and Defensive Struggles

Ivisic started the season seeing significant action, but his role diminished once SEC play began. At one point, he went four consecutive games without surpassing 10 minutes on the floor. Eventually, he reclaimed a spot in the rotation, regularly playing 25 minutes per game until the regular-season finale. However, his minutes once again dwindled during the Razorbacks’ NCAA Tournament run, logging just 26 minutes across three games and contributing only two points.

Calipari often pointed to Ivisic’s defensive weaknesses as a reason for his reduced role.

“The reason I didn’t play Z more?” Calipari said after Arkansas' Feb. 15 loss to Texas A&M. “If you were watching the game, why didn’t I play him more? Just so I need to know if you were really watching the game. So, he got scored on, got scored on, got scored on. He didn’t block. He doesn’t block. Then I’ve got to go with the other guy.”

Looking Ahead to a Fresh Start

This isn’t the first time Ivisic has faced adversity in his collegiate career. At Kentucky, he missed the beginning of the 2023-24 season due to initial eligibility issues with the NCAA. When he finally hit the floor, he made an instant impact, scoring 13 points with five rebounds and three blocks in his debut against Georgia. Unfortunately, illness frequently set him back throughout the rest of the season.

Now, Ivisic is looking for a fresh start in a program where he can fully realize his potential. His twin brother, Tomislav, recently completed his first season as Illinois’ starting center, raising the question of whether Zvonimir might follow suit or carve his path elsewhere.

Though not currently projected as a top NBA draft pick, Ivisic landed at No. 74 on On3’s draft board, per analyst James Fletcher III. With rare mobility for his towering frame, he remains an intriguing prospect. Where he lands next could determine whether he transforms his glimpses of excellence into sustained success.