Zvonimir Ivisic generating momentum for Hogs, earns Razorbacker of the Week

As a 7-2 transfer sophomore who followed head coach John Calipari from Kentucky to Arkansas, Zvonimir Ivisic continues to generate much intrigue and interest from fans and opponents alike. Like his Generation Z contemporaries, the late-developing native of Croatia may be off to a slow start in his development but the glimpses of his potential are becoming increasingly hard to deny.

Over the past week, "Big Z" (as he is affectionately known) has scored in double figures twice — including a 14-point, 10 rebound double double last Saturday at Missouri to go with this Saturday's 10 points and six rebounds against Oklahoma to earn Razorbacker of the Week honors to close out the month of January 2025.

"He's in a great frame of mind. He's got a great spirit about him right now," said Calipari after the Oklahoma game. "He's taken responsibility versus trying to blame anybody. He's taken responsibility, and, he's working in practice. He's spending the time (in the gym) you have to spend at this and it's paying off."

Ivisic, who has a twin brother, Tomislav, who starts at center for the University of Illinois, currently leads Arkansas in three-point shooting percentage at 40.6 percent and blocked shots 1.7 per game. While playing all season in a reserve role and missing time due to injuries, he averages 7.4 points and 3.7 rebounds on the season.

Of late however — and especially since freshman point guard and second leading scorer Boogie Fland was lost for the season with a thumb injury — Ivisic has stepped up his game on both ends of the court.

"I feel like I started fighting more," Ivisic said after the Oklahoma loss. "As coach told me from the beginning, ‘I want you to be physical. I want you to be tough and not soft. I don’t want you to be pushed around. I think I got better at it. I was working on it as much as I could — waiting for my opportunity.