In a move that has reverberated through the NCAA, Zvonimir “Big Z” Ivišić—a towering 7‑foot‑2 center who has starred at both Kentucky and Arkansas—announced today that he is transferring to the University of Illinois to join the Fighting Illini. The announcement stunned the college basketball community, as it marks the culmination of an unconventional and high-profile collegiate journey.
From Kentucky to Arkansas and Beyond
Originally a standout recruit from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ivišić began his U.S. collegiate career at Kentucky in 2023, under coach Mark Pope. Despite a delayed eligibility ruling, he made a dazzling debut in January 2024, dropping 13 points—with three 3-pointers—along with five boards, three blocks, two assists, and steals—all in just 16 minutes against Georgia . He closed the season averaging 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game .
When John Calipari left Kentucky for Arkansas, Ivišić followed, marking his second major program change. The 2024–25 season at Arkansas saw more solid production—he averaged 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, hitting 37.6% from deep . He had standout nights, including a memorable performance against Kentucky at Rupp Arena where he scored 14 points on 4-of-7 three-point shooting . Yet, as the season wound down, his minutes dipped—just 8.5 minutes in Arkansas’s final four games, tallying two total points .
Illini Bombshell: A Historic Reunion
Today’s announcement confirms that Ivišić is heading to Illinois for the 2025–26 season—reuniting with his twin brother, Tomislav, who starred for the Illini in 2024–25, averaging 13.0 points and 7.7 rebounds . Zvonimir becomes the first Fighting Illini transfer portal addition of the year .
This pairing marks the first time since 1956 that Illinois has rostered identical twins on the basketball team, following in the footsteps of Phil and Paul Judson . For Brad Underwood’s Illini, this is a transformative acquisition: Underwood praised Zvonimir as an “elite shooter who stretches the floor and … terrific presence defensively,” emphasizing how well he fits the Illini’s five‑out offensive style .
Why This Move Matters
1. Frontcourt Firepower
At Illinois, Zvonimir will complement Tomislav, giving the Illini a twin tower presence rarely seen in college basketball—a matchup nightmare for opponents both inside and out .
2. Offensive Spacing + Defensive Length
Big Z’s combination of 3-and-D shooting (37.6% 3‑point) and shot-blocking (nearly 2 per game) injects versatility into Illinois’s system. He fits naturally into their spacing-oriented offense—an asset Coach Underwood clearly values .
3. Program Continuity
Bringing a high-profile player like Zvonimir into the portal signals ambition from Illinois, especially in contrast to his diminishing role late at Arkansas. It’s a statement—Illinois is recruiting at the top level.
What’s Next?
The timeline is tight: Zvonimir officially joined the portal in late March and sealed his Illinois commitment in early April . Next season, Illinois will reboot with this new twin tower duo, returning players like Tomislav, Kylan Boswell, Ty Rodgers, and Jake Davis .
His addition injects both star power and tactical flexibility into the Illini, shaping them for a potential deep push in the Big Ten—one of the nation’s strongest conferences.
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Overall, the “Shock Decision” to move to Illinois concludes Zvonimir’s whirlwind college journey—from Kentucky’s big-man showcase to Arkansas’s spotlight to a transformative pairing at Illinois. It’s a bold play that could reshape the Illini’s ceiling next season—and has certainly captured the attention of college basketball fans everywhere.
