Why Zvonimir Ivisic will be a lottery pick in the 2024 NBA draft

The freshman from Croatia has the perfect blend of skills for the modern NBA and could be highly sought after in June.

The 2024 NBA draft is still six months away, and Kentucky Wildcats freshman Zvonimir Ivisic has only played in a pair of games, but already the draft buzz is palpable for the 7'2 center from Croatia.

Ivisic was finally ruled eligible by the NCAA ahead of Kentucky's game against Georgia on Saturday, and in his first five minutes of action he had already collected 11 points, a trio of made three pointers, and a pair of blocks. He also positively impacted his draft stock more than perhaps any player ever has in such a short amount of time.

Ivisic had been mocked as a potential second round flyer before he was able to see the court for the 'Cats, but the instant impact he made for Kentucky on Saturday, and the way he did it, absolutely turned heads in the NBA draft and scouting community.

While the big man certainly came down to earth in Kentucky's follow up game against South Carolina, his blend of size, agility, basketball IQ, outside shooting, and rim protection make him a modern day 'unicorn' in the same vein as current NBA rookie stars Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren. 

While that's a lofty ceiling to clear, the prototype is extraordinarily appealing to modern NBA general managers - and considering the lack of perceived talent in this 2024 draft class it is not a surprise Ivisic's name is already rocketing up boards.

There is still a lot, of basketball to be played this season, and Ivisic will need to prove it not only on the court this season but at the NBA draft combine as well. But the modern NBA drools over players with his specific set of skills, and Calipari's reputation of churning out high, high level NBA bigs like Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Bam Adebayo should make Ivisic a relatively safe pick in the first round - and perhaps as high as top 10 when this draft rolls around in June.