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

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.”

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.”