Zvonimir Ivisic Shares Emotions of Learning He Was Eligible and First Kentucky Game, 'It Felt Unreal'

Learning the news from Kentucky Compliance Director, Kevin Sergent, Ivisic was overcome with emotions and shared a moment with John Calipari. “We cried, we both cried,” Ivisic told the media after the game. “It was crazy. I was running like crazy because I was nervous. I didn’t know what to do. I was too happy and excited.”

Happy and excited to step on the court for the first, no one knew what to expect. “I may play him (Ivisic) five minutes. I may play him ten. Let him get his feet wet” Calipari told the team before the game. Ivisic certainly got his feet wet, but by diving in head-first.

Checking in for the first time at the 16-minute media timeout, Big Blue Nation welcomed Ivisic to the court with a loud applause. At that moment, it was real, Ivisic was finally playing for Kentucky. “It felt unreal,” Ivisic told KY Insider after the game. “I was just listening to the crowd. I didn’t even know where to go. I was going to the right, left. I was just watching someone who was in with me, someone calling me.”

Ivisic’s game started with a block. Then a behind-the-back pass to Antonio Reeves for a three. Then four consecutive made shots, including three three-pointers. Within minutes, Ivisic put his name in Kentucky basketball lore in a debut like few have ever seen.

Ivisic finished the game with 13 points (3-4 3P), 5 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists, and 2 steals, in just 16 minutes. After all that he had endured, it was a moment of vindication as his patience and dedication had paid off.

Has Kentucky seen the best of Big Z? “I don’t know. You’ll see,” he said in his postgame interview with a smile.