Illinois center Tomislav Ivisic (13) drives against Xavier forward Zach Freemantle (32) in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Friday, March 21, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Summary: Ivisic is a stretch-big lefty who rains 3s and carves up the post with crafty hook shots. But his plodding feet make him a defensive liability unless he makes dramatic progress at the next level. Tomislav has a twin brother, Arkansas center Zvonimir Ivisic.
Comparisons: Brad Miller, Channing Frye, Spencer Hawes
Strengths
Stretch shooting: Smooth lefty shooter from the corners and above the break. He can pick-and-pop or simply hit 3s from a standstill.
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Post scoring: Talented scoring from either block using drop steps, hook shots, and power moves. Even before receiving the ball, he does a good job of establishing deep positioning. With his shooting touch he can take a face-up jumper or drive by a slower-footed defender to finish loudly at the rim.
At-rim finishing: Ivisic is an ambidextrous scorer near the rim and has excellent hand-eye coordination that he blends with his power. If he’s not dunking, he can still score: He made 80% of his layups and 64.7% of his floaters, per Synergy.
Passing: It’s an added bonus on top of his shooting that Ivisic can playmake from the high post and perimeter. He does a great job of delivering accurate passes, though he should cut down on some of the risks he takes.
Rebounding: He boxes out regularly and generally does a good job of tracking the trajectory of the ball. With his passing feel, he does a good job of looking for the outlet after defensive boards, and shows strong decision-making whether to reset the play or go back up after offensive boards.
Concerns
Defense: He too often looks like a turnstile with perimeter threats leaving him in the dust. He changes directions too slowly and also falls for pump-fakes, leading to open buckets or sloppy fouls. He’s also slow to react to ball movement, often appearing a beat late to rotate to a cut.
Athleticism: He’s not an explosive leaper, which means he won’t be dunking too often in traffic or offering elite rim protection as a shot blocker. And for now, he doesn’t have much perimeter quickness either, limiting his defensive versatility.