CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Head coach
Brad Underwood announced Sunday that
Zvonimir Ivisic has signed a Big Ten Athletics Aid Agreement with the University of Illinois and will join the Fighting Illini program as a transfer.
Ivisic is a 7-foot-2-inch, 245-pound center from Vodice, Croatia, and the twin brother (older by four minutes) of current Illini center
Tomislav Ivisic. He will join the Fighting Illini as a junior after starting his collegiate career at Kentucky in 2023-24 before playing this past season at Arkansas.
In 50 career college games, Ivisic has averaged 7.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks while shooting 49% from the floor, including 38% from 3-point range, and hitting 74% from the free-throw line.
"Zvonimir is an exciting, impactful player on both ends of the floor," Underwood said. "He is an elite shooter who stretches the floor and can pass, and he is a terrific presence defensively with his length and ability to block and alter shots. He really fits how we want to play in 5-out, facilitating as a shooter and passer."
The addition of 'Big Z' continues an active spring for the Illini, following recent announcements from
Tomislav Ivisic,
Kylan Boswell,
Ty Rodgers, and
Jake Davis pledging their return in 2025-26. Illinois is coming off a 22-win season and NCAA Tournament Second Round appearance. The Fighting Illini are the winningest team in Big Ten play over the last six years during the Underwood era and stand as one of just four teams nationally with six straight 20-win regular seasons.
During his time in Fayetteville, Zvonimir Ivisic played in 35 games with 19 starts, helping lead the Razorbacks to an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance. He averaged 8.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in 19 minutes per game, while shooting a team-best 37.6% (47-125) from 3-point range and registering a team-high 66 blocks (1.9 per game) to rank second in the SEC. According to kenpom, his block percentage of 10.47% ranked 16th nationally. Ivisic scored in double-figures 16 times with three 20-point games, all during SEC play, including a career-high 27 points vs. No. 3 Alabama (2/8/25).
As a freshman at Kentucky, Ivisic played in 15 games, helping the Wildcats earn a No. 3 seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. He averaged 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks, shooting 57.7% from the field, 37.5% from three, and 77.3% at the line. Ivisic had four double-figure scoring games, led by a season-high 18 points vs. No. 13 Alabama (2/24/24).
Prior to coming to the U.S., Zvonimir played two seasons for SC Derby in Montenegro where he averaged 5.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in the Adriatic League. During the playoffs, he produced his best outing with 22 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks against European League side Partizan. Ivisic represented Croatia at the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championship, averaging 11.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks.
The Ivisic twins will be the first brothers to play together for Illini Basketball since the Judson twins, Paul and Phil, in 1956.
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