Illinois basketball's projected backup center got a key update from a Fighting Illini assistant coach.
Illinois basketball has a pair of centers who could start for many programs throughout Division-I college basketball in twin brothers Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic.
Tomislav Ivisic is the better scorer and passer per 48 minutes worth of statistics, while Zvonimir Ivisic is the better rebounder and shot blocker, with Tomislav Ivisic expected to start this coming season.
On Wednesday, the health status of Zvonimir Ivisic got an optimistic update from an Illinois Fighting Illini assistant coach ahead of fall training camp that reads as good news for fans of the Big Ten championship favorites.
Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) shoots the ball past Illinois Fighting Illini center Zvonimir Ivisic(44) in the first half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Illinois Assistant: Ivisic Has Cast on Hand
Illinois assistant coach Tyler Underwood, the team's offensive coordinator, said that Zvonimir Ivisic has a cast on his hand after previously hurting himself in Europe.
The information was shared by reporter Carson Gourdie of the WCIA-3 Champaign television station.
The cast is supposed to come off soon, Gourdie said, giving the Illinois backup center time to be ready for the team's regular season opener on Nov. 6 against Fairleigh Dickinson.
"With Z, I think he's supposed to be out of the cast in the next couple of weeks," he said according to Gourdie.
At 7-foot-2, 245 pounds, he is slightly taller and leaner than his brother, giving coach Brad Underwood a talented and productive option off the bench to complement his brother's scoring and passing abilities.
Ivisic a Player to Watch on 2026-27 Illini
Zvonimir Ivisic led the team in dunks by far last season and has become a fan favorite due to his ability to hold position and score in the paint.
He was also far and away the Fighting Illini's leading shot blocker last season with 1.9 blocks per game in just 17.2 minutes of action, triple the amount of shot blocks as Tomislav Ivisic with 0.6 blocks per game and Ben Humirichous, who also had an average of 0.6 blocks per game.
Underwood has stated he wants to experiment with more versatile lineups, presumably smaller and faster ones, this coming season which could relegate Zvonimir Ivisic to the bench in favor of more offensive-minded units.
His shot-blocking ability suggests that he will be too good and too valuable to keep off of the court, however, in defiance of Underwood's offseason statement.
As the national championship winning Michigan Wolverines and their first round draft pick center Aday Mara proved last season, shot blocking never goes out of style, regardless of opponent. Zvonimir Ivisic will battle it out for minutes with his brother, power forward David Mirkovic, and others leading up to the season, which should produce fierce practice battles and an iron-sharpens-iron mentality.
Expect big things from both Ivisic twins this season as Illinois chases another Final Four and its first ever national championship.
