John Calipari took the podium Wednesday afternoon at SEC Media Day to discuss his team and preview the 2023-24 college basketball season.
The UK coach answered a lot of questions about his Wildcats, including the situation surrounding Kentucky’s frontcourt with injuries to Aaron Bradshaw and Ugonna Oneyenso.
Calipari said he regrets putting a 5-6 week timeline on their return and adds that Bradshaw is ahead of Oneynso in his recovery.
The other question in the frontcourt is the eligibility of Zvonimir Ivisic, who arrived on campus at Kentucky last Thursday.
While Ivisic has cleared academic hurdles, he still has to be ruled eligible by the NCAA for the 2023-24 season. Calipari is confident that will happen and says that Big Z is starting to participate in contact during practices.
“I think he will be in good shape but he’s got to go through the process like every other foreign student would do,” Calipari said Wednesday.
Calipari did slow down the hype and expectations for Ivisic, who missed summer sessions and the first 2-3 weeks of official practice due to admissions issues.
“He’s just going to start contact in tonight’s practice so if you think he will be ready to jump in and dominate a game you’re not thinking right.”
Fans will get their first look at Ivisic in Kentucky’s Blue-White scrimmage this Saturday at Northern Kentucky University.
