Zvonimir Ivišić is away from the team as Kentucky prepares to face Illinois State
Published:
Zvonimir Ivišić will not be with Kentucky as the Wildcats take on Indiana State on Friday night at home.
The program announced that news on Friday afternoon. Per a team statement, Ivišić’s absence is excused. Ivišić is being given “extra time” at home in Croatia following the holiday break.
Kentucky said Ivišić is expected to return to the team next week.
Zvonimir Ivišić will not be with the team for tonight's game vs. Illinois State. Ivišić has been given extra time at home in Croatia following the holiday break and is expected back next week.
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 29, 2023
Ivišić has yet to debut for Kentucky this season due to an eligibility case that the NCAA has yet to rule on. The center has struggled with illness as he has tried to acclimate himself to life in Lexington.
Coach John Calipari acknowledged Ivišić difficulties last week, saying Ivišić has lost more than 20 pounds and hasn’t been sleeping or eating.
Calipari says Big Z will go home for the Holliday's.
"He was 242 pounds, he's 219, he's not sleeping, not eating."
Says he'll go home and be back before the Illinois State game.
"Hopefully we'll hear something."
— Aaron Gershon (@agershon99) December 22, 2023
The Wildcats are big favorites over Illinois State on Friday evening. As of now, Ivišić is expected to be back with the team in time for Kentucky’s game against Florida on Jan. 6.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
