CBS Sports tabs Zvonimir Ivisic as 'depth' for Kentucky, third-string at center in rotation prediction

The Wildcats have some injury concerns at center heading into the 2023 season.

Aaron Bradshaw underwent surgery earlier this offseason and may be out closer to the beginning of the non-conference slate. Returning big man Ugonna Onyenso is also out for an extended period of time, suffering a broken foot/ankle right before the start of the GLOBL JAM. He has also undergone surgery and should be back by mid-October if all goes well.

Because of the health concerns and lack of true depth, the Wildcats went out and got two pieces - West Virginia transfer Tre Mitchell, and 7-foot-2 Croatian Zvonimir Ivisic, who is coming to help the Cats from overseas.

Lots are excited about the versatility that Mitchell brings to the floor and displayed during the GLOBL JAM, but Ivisic's potential is through the roof. His ball-handling and shooting are unlike any 7-footer in college basketball currently. His extremely long frame also helps him on the defensive end making him a very well-rounded prospect that just fell into Kentucky's lap late in the cycle here.

He can pass, shoot from all areas, block shots, and run in transition. He's a massive wildcard for a Kentucky team that has gotten significantly taller in the past 10 months.

However, CBS Sports does not seem to have much excitement about Ivisic, or what he can do for the Wildcats this season.

Following his addition to the team, CBS Sports released a starting five prediction for Kentucky as well as a depth chart/rotation projection.

Article author David Cobb has Ivisic behind the trio of Mitchell, Bradshaw and Onyenso, tabbing the overseas big man as nothing more than "a late addition from Croatia whose lengthy frame will be useful in practice."

It's really hard to see Ivisic not contributing in some fashion early on for the Wildcats with Bradshaw and Onyenso still getting comfortable on the floor following their injuries.

Cobb goes on to say that the bench combination of Jordan Burks, Joey Hart and Ivisic may be long-term contributors for the Wildcats in coming seasons if they stick around.

Again, adding Ivisic simply as a body to play against in practice is difficult to project, especially considering Coach John Calipari's own words about the Croatian addition. "As excited as he is to play for us, I’m just as excited to have the opportunity to coach him," Coach Cal said in a press release. "We can’t wait to get him to campus to get integrated with our team and our culture.”

This would also go against why "Big Z" chose to even come to play for the Wildcats in the first place. “I decided to come to Kentucky because it is the best spot in the U.S. for talented basketball players,” Ivisic said in the same release. “Coach Calipari is a Hall of Fame coach that has helped more players get to the NBA than anyone else.”

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