Kentucky loses intriguing prospect to transfer portal

The Kentucky basketball roster continues to get smaller and smaller as another key rotational player announced he was entering the transfer portal.

Skilled center Zvonimir Ivisic announced on Saturday that he would be leaving Kentucky and putting his name in the portal. The 7-foot-2 center played just one season at Kentucky.

Ivisic appeared in 15 games this year, averaging 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 11.7 minutes per game. He shot 37.5 percent (6-of-16) from three.

"I decided to come to Kentucky because it's the best spot in the US for talented basketball players," Ivisic told ESPN when he committed. "Coach Calipari is a Hall of Fame coach that sent more players to the NBA than anyone else."

Ivisic, originally from Croatia, committed to Kentucky in August but wasn't ruled eligible until Jan. 20 by the NCAA. There were concerns about his eligibility after playing professionally for two years before coming to Lexington.

In his debut against Georgia, Ivisic scored 13 points on 5-of-7 from the field with three 3s.

On the season, Ivisic scored in double-figures four times, including a career-high 18 points on 7-of-11 from the field in a win over Alabama.

Ivisic had just three points in Kentucky's loss to Oakland in the NCAA Tournament.

Ivisic is the fourth Kentucky player to enter the transfer portal, joining Aaron Bradshaw, Adou Thiero and Joey Hart. Rob Dillingham and Justin Edwards both announced they would be entering the 2024 NBA Draft.