LEXINGTON — The highly anticipated debut of Zvonimir Ivišić, a 7-foot-2 center from Croatia, is currently on hold. Ivišić, who is part of Kentucky’s talented freshman class, has not yet been cleared by the NCAA to play against teams outside of the university. However, he is eligible to practice with the team and participate in intrasquad games and scrimmages. As a result, he will not be playing in Friday’s exhibition game against Georgetown College. The Wildcats have one more exhibition game on November 2nd before their regular season opener on November 6th against New Mexico State.
Meanwhile, as fellow UK big men Aaron Bradshaw and Ugonna Onyenso recover from foot injuries, other players on the team are looking to make their mark in the lead up to the regular season. Freshman guard Rob Dillingham had an impressive showing in last week’s Blue-White scrimmage, recording game highs in points, assists, and steals. Adou Thiero, a sophomore, also had a strong performance with 26 points and nine rebounds. Freshmen Jordan Burks, Justin Edwards, and D.J. Wagner, along with seniors Tre Mitchell and Antonio Reeves, also contributed to the scrimmage.
UK coach John Calipari expressed his satisfaction with the team’s competitiveness and emphasized the importance of having a unified team. He highlighted Dillingham and Wagner as two players who have stood out with their fiery personalities and competitive spirit. Calipari also mentioned that it’s crucial for the team to work together in order to achieve success.
For those interested in watching Kentucky’s exhibition opener against Georgetown College, the game will start at 7 p.m. and will be broadcasted nationally on SEC Network. Viewers can also stream the game on TV-connected devices or through streaming services like Fubo. The UK radio network will have the call with Tom Leach doing the play-by-play and UK legend Jack Givens providing analysis.
In conclusion, Kentucky fans are eagerly anticipating the debut of Zvonimir Ivišić, but will have to wait until he is cleared by the NCAA. In the meantime, other players on the team are making strides in preparation for the upcoming season.
Laura Davis covers the world of basketball with precision. Her articles explore NBA and college basketball, offering game analysis, player profiles, and highlights. Laura’s passion for hoops is evident in her comprehensive basketball coverage.