!["This program, [when] you talk about some of the best jobs in the country in basketball, this is one of them," Calipari said.](https://media.tegna-media.com/assets/KFSM/images/cf0926fc-f855-401b-9c52-091fa843e8c1/cf0926fc-f855-401b-9c52-091fa843e8c1_1920x1080.jpg)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Zvonimir Ivišić has officially signed to play for the Razorback men's basketball team, becoming Coach John Calipari's first signee since being hired on April 10.
Like Calipari, Ivišić also came from the University of Kentucky. He played his freshman season for the Wildcats and will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Although Ivišić missed 15 games during his freshman year before he became eligible in January, he made his mark for the 15 games he played. In his debut game against Georgia, he scored 13 points in 16 minutes, drained a trio of 3-pointers, and led the team with three blocks and five rebounds.
Before coming to Kentucky, Ivišić played in the FIBA U20 European Championship for his home country of Croatia. He also played for Montenegro's professional basketball club in the Adriatic League for two seasons.
Ivišić announced plans to leave Kentucky to follow Coach Cal on April 15.
"I made the lifetime decision to come to college for few reasons," he wrote on X. "Main ones to win a national championship and go to the NBA. [A] monumental part of that decision was Coach Cal, and no one does both of those at the same time [better] than him. That's why I am excited to announce that I am committing to Coach Cal and Arkansas Razorbacks! Woo Pig Sooie!!!"
Ivišić was welcomed by former Arkansas guard and fellow Croatian Davor Rimac for his decision to commit to the Razorbacks.
Two days later, Arkansas announced that the 7-2 player is officially a Hog.
With several players and commits leaving after Musselman's departure, Calipari was hired on with zero players and zero commits on the roster.
"We needed to find a coach that understands the current environment of college athletics and how to recruit elite talent," Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek said.
On the same day of his hire, Calipari said he wasn't concerned about searching for a new team.
"There’s going to be enough kids that want to play here for us that will be fine. I really believe that," Calipari said. "Whether I was at UMass or Memphis or Kentucky, kids want to play for us and, hopefully, it’s because we put them first."
Now, the search continues.
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