Who does the “Big Z” label belong to in college
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(img src=”https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2024%2F0123%2Fr1281348_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg”alt=””) (img src=” https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/columnists/full/medcalf_myron.png&h=80&w=80&scale=crop “alt=””width =”40 “height=”40 “/)Myron Medcalf, ESPN Staff WriterJan 23,
- 2024, 03:15 PM ET Close Covers college basketball
- Joined ESPN.com in 2011
- Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato
On Saturday, Kentucky’s Zvonimir “Big Z” Ivisic made an impressive debut (13 points, 3-for-4 from 3) in the Kentucky Wildcats’ 105-96 success over the Georgia Bulldogs at Rupp Arena. After months of waiting, the 7-foot-2 European NBA prospect lastly gained clearance from the NCAA to play in his first game.
His profession started with a flurry of 3-pointers, a behind-the-back pass, a block and a dunk, all in just 16 minutes of action. As a result, he and his nickname rapidly went viral.
Big Z’s Wildcat launching. A MOMENT. @ zvonimir_ivisic pic.twitter.com/fql7ZbWJi2!.?.!— Kentucky Guys’s Basketball(@ KentuckyMBB)January 21, 2024 But another school has actually relatively claimed the”Big Z”nickname. Purdue tweeted about Wooden Award winner Zach Edey sealing his ninth Big Ten Player of the Week honor this season, recommending the Boilermakers believe they have their own Huge Z. No. 9 for Huge Z.: Zach Edey wins his 9th profession Huge Ten Gamer of the Week accolade.
pic.twitter.com/bG8uiCr3CQ!.?.!— Purdue Guys’s Basketball
( @ BoilerBall)January 22, 2024 There are resemblances between the 2. Ivisic and Edey are both legit NBA prospects. They’re both 7-footers. Their skill sets are different, however Edey is a dominant force within the sport, and Ivisic has talent that could make him among the leading players in the nation soon. While it’s unclear when Ivisic made the nickname, Kentucky’s fan base has called him Big Z given that he signed with the program in August. But Edey’s mother, Julia Edey, actually called her child Huge Z in a
tweet in 2019. Maybe college basketball’s Huge Zs will satisfy in the postseason. Purdue is currently top-ranked in ESPN’s Joe Lunardi’s latest Bracketology while Kentucky is ranked No. 3. Edey wishes to lead the Boilermakers to a nationwide title
while also winning back-to-back Wooden Awards– a feat that hasn’t been achieved considering that Ralph Sampson Jr. achieved it 40 years ago. Editor’s Picks (img src=” https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2024/0117/r1278595_1296x1296_1-1.jpg&w=130&h=130&scale=crop&location=center” width= “65” height=”65 “/) Ivisic offers Kentucky– a group with 3 projected first-round choices in ESPN’s most current NBA mock draft
— another gifted player on a team that is aiming to carry the Wildcats back to the Final Four for the first time given that 2015. Let’s hope these 2 satisfy in the NCAA tournament and settle the dispute. And don’t stress: both fan bases will be affordable about all of
this.