Vicky Graff Photo
Some Kentucky basketball fans have raised money for a billboard ad close to the NCAA office in Indianapolis saying “Free Big Z” in hopes of having the NCAA finally give a final ruling on the eligibility of UK freshman Zvonimir Ivisic.
‘I would say it again, our fans are crazy and I love them,” Calipari said after Wednesday’s win over Mississippi State when asked about the billboard.
The 7-2 Croatian has yet to play in any game since arriving at UK in mid-October. But he’s been engaging with teammates and supportive of the team despite not being able to play and that’s one reason Calipari said he would not redshirt him if he is declared eligible.
“I won’t redshirt him. It is not fair for him to go through what he did to get in the school, two months, what he is doing academically, how he is as a teammate,” Calipari said.
“Every day he walks in and says, ‘Hey, Coach Cal.’ Yesterday, or two days ago, I said to him, ‘You know, I just want you to know I feel bad because I don’t like the way you were treated from the beginning to now.’ And he said, ‘Coach, I’m good. I’m good. I appreciate you saying it, but I’m good.’
“He’s just a great kid. And he deserves — look, if it were your son how would you feel right now? I mean, he just turned 20. He was a 19-year-old, 20 playing amateur basketball over there. They can make it however they want to make it, but what about this, what about that? I get it. I get it.
“But, you know, he is a great kid that deserves it and if he becomes eligible I will play him. I don’t know how much. Maybe both big guys (Aaron Bradshaw and Ugonna Onyenso) don’t go and then he goes nuts and we look around and say, ‘Oh my gosh, they are not going to play anymore.’ Maybe. Or maybe it is like, ‘Geesh, these two are better than him.’ We’ll see.”
2 Responses
Why would he? This kid is on his way to the NBA. Redshirts have absolutely no significance in today’s world of college sports.
Ugonna is more of a defensive presence and Bradshaw is more of a offensive presence. Big Z has a little of both. Hopefully 1 of our 7 footers at least come back next year. I don’t see Ugonna getting drafted I also don’t see big Z getting drafted unless he’s cleared and goes absolutely crazy in the last 15 games or so. Bradshaw will likely go mid second round in the draft and I think if big Z is cleared and comes back next year he could play his way into a lottery pick. I actually think he is the only 7 footer that has 1st round potential.