LEXINGTON — Zvonimir Ivišić's time at Kentucky lasted barely six months. The 7-foot-2 Croatian freshman, who arrived in Lexington in the middle of October, entered the transfer portal Saturday night.

Two days later, he announced on social media he will follow former UK coach John Calipari to his new job at Arkansas. In his announcement post, Ivišić revealed he met Monday with Calipari's successor, Mark Pope. During the meeting, Ivišić told Pope he would not return to Kentucky for his sophomore season.

"Big Blue Nation, my amazing teammates, I love you and this has been the best experience a kid from Croatia could ask for coming to the US," Ivisic wrote in his post. "You took me as one of your own since the first moment and the love just grew! From the billboard to countless other things you’ve done to show love.. I mean, come on. Who does that? I will forever be grateful for that and it will have a special place in my heart.

“With all that being said, I made the lifetime decision to come to college for a few reasons. Main one’s to win a national championship and go to the NBA. Monumental part of that decision was Coach Cal, and no one does both of those at the same time than him. That’s why I am excited to announce that I am committing to Coach Cal and the Arkansas Razorbacks!”

It brings to a close a brief stay in Lexington. One that saw its share of twists and turns before he finally took the floor for the Wildcats.

Ivišić committed to UK on Aug. 1, becoming the eighth (and final) member of the team's 2023 recruiting class, which ranked No. 1 nationally according to the 247Sports Composite.

“I got the offer for scholarship by Coach Calipari to attend the University of Kentucky,” Ivišić said in an Instagram Stories post. “I’m excited to tell that I accepted the scholarship and I will play there next season. Go Big Blue!!”

But more than two months passed between his commitment and his arrival in the Bluegrass State, as the university pored over his application as an incoming international student. Ivišić finally was admitted to the university Oct. 4 and stepped foot in Lexington the following week, one day before making an appearance at Kentucky's annual Big Blue Madness event at Rupp Arena.

Yet his quest to suit up for the Wildcats was just beginning.

For the next three months, Ivišić sat out as he awaited an NCAA ruling on his amateur status after playing in professional leagues overseas before joining Kentucky. The NCAA cleared him Jan. 20, and Ivišić wasted no time making a difference, playing that night against Georgia, putting on a show with 13 points (on 5-of-7 shooting, 3 for 4 on 3s), five rebounds, two assists, three blocks and two steals — in only 16 minutes.

Before UK's season concluded with a first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Oakland on March 21, Ivišić appeared in 15 games off the bench, averaging 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 11.7 minutes. Ivišić also showcased his shooting prowess, making 57.7% (30 for 52) of his attempts overall, including 37.5% (6 of 16) beyond the 3-point arc.

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Zvonimir Ivisic of Kentucky basketball to Arkansas via transfer portal