Expectations remain lofty for 7-2 freshman Zvonimir Ivisic from UK coaches and NBA draft analysts. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky assistant coach Chuck Martin continues to believe that the best is yet to come for 7-2 Zvonimir Ivisic this season.
“I think Z had such a special moment (in his first game). His first game was unreal. Made for TV. A movie. The expectations are so high after that one game that we had forgotten that he had not played all year,” Martin said.
“He’s still trying to figure out how we defend, offensively our spacing and really what he did that night was just instincts. So it was a great moment for him and us, but I think realistically we’ve got to settle down a little bit, settle him down a little bit and get them back to fundamentals and kind of teach him how we defend.
“I think once he gets that, he’s going to be pretty good.”
Yahoo Sports NBA draft analyst Krysten Peek elevated Ivisic to a top 10 pick in the 2024 draft after his impressive debut against Georgia. She’s not changed her mind about his potential despite his lack of productivity/minutes played since his debut. He did have 11 points and seven rebounds in 12 minutes against Vanderbilt but then had no impact against Gonzaga and did not even play against Ole Miss.
“The NBA understands international players fit better in the NBA than college,” Peek said. “If he doesn’t fit into the college game now that’s fine with them. They will see his passing and 3-point threat and what it can mean at the next level.”
“I still think if he is not a lottery pick he will go if not lottery late to mid first round. I would take him over (Purdue’s) Zach Edey.”
The 7-4 Edey has been a dominant player for two seasons but mainly plays in the paint and does not have the shooting range or passing instincts of Ivisic.
“This draft is so wide open that you are going to see a lot of movement up and down draft boards the next few months,” she said. “You will see guys we are not talking about yet who will make a move in the draft in workouts and the combine.”
One Response
Good for Z.
That has been the plan all along.
He can’t defend or play the post, but all that matters is the path to the NBA draft.
He thinks he is the latest, greatest deep threat.
He will exit with a host of others in about 6 weeks.
I guess it proves that players can realize their dream of NBA draft picks in less than a year at the far end of the UK Bench.
It must mean that the fraud is such a great coach.