CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Twin brothers Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic have played a fair amount of basketball together – but never in America.

Now forming a towering 14-foot, 3-inch duo in the Illini’s front court, the pair has a history of playing together since childhood and even shared the court professionally in Montenegro.

In contrast, the past three seasons saw them on separate paths. Zvonimir first ventured into collegiate and American basketball, joining Kentucky for the 2023-24 season. It was Orlando Antigua who recruited ‘Z’ to Lexington. However, when Jon Calipari transitioned from UK to Arkansas, Zvonimir followed, though Antigua remained behind.

Antigua opted to return to Brad Underwood’s team in Champaign, where he previously coached from 2017 to 2021, though maintaining a connection to his Croatian basketball heritage. Tomislav Ivisic started his college journey at Illinois that year and, despite the NCAA labeling him a sophomore, joined in the 2024-25 season.

Now, Tomislav returns for a second year in Champaign and Zvonimir is trading out the Razorbacks’ gear for orange and blue.

Zvonomir Ivisic says, when he entered the transfer portal from Arkansas, he wasn’t sure if joining his brother at Illinois was a possibility.

“I wanted to [end up at Illinois] but I wasn’t sure,” Zvonimir said. “We talked about it. We hoped for it, but were skeptical since we played the same position… I aimed to play with my brother, but we didn’t believe it would happen until it did.”

Tomislav says it was his brother who fell in love with the game of basketball first.

“I was lazy back then, around five or six [years old],” Tomislav recalled. “We wanted to do some sports and basketball was practically the only choice. I didn’t want to try it initially, but my brother did. He attended a practice, enjoyed it, and I joined him at the next one. That’s how it began.”

On the Illini roster, Tomislav is noted as ten pounds heavier. The twins acknowledge their games share some traits yet have distinct differences, providing the team with varied strengths.

“We’re both tall, both play inside [and] outside,” Tomislav said. “I would say he’s more athletic, better rim protector. We’re both good shooters – if you ask him, he’s better – if you ask me, I’m better. I’m stronger, more physical.”

While chemistry will likely be a strength of the lengthy duo, they struggled to get on the same page about one thing. Who won 1-on-1 games growing up?

“Me, for sure,” Zvonomir said.

Tomislav disputes that, saying the two never played 1-on-1 and points instead to the Thanksgiving meeting between Illinois and Arkansas in 2024.

“He still hears it [about that game],” Tomislav said.

While Z may not have initially known Illinois would be his next home when electing to transfer, his twin brother had a pretty good feeling.

“I knew that if it comes to that and he goes to portal that he [was] going to come here,” Tomislav said. “I know it’s a perfect spot for him. The coaches are going to help him a lot. [Strength coach Adam Fletcher] will change his life completely. When it got to that point that Illinois was interested in him, I don’t think there was any doubt after that.”

For Zvonimir, the opportunity to play alongside his brother for the first time in years was obviously a huge factor in picking a school out of the portal. However, it wasn’t the only thing that led him to Champaign-Urbana.

“Coaches are different than I’m used to. They’re still going to be hard on you, they’re going to support you,” Zvonimir said. “Facility is amazing. I haven’t seen a facility like this ever. And everybody else in the gym is just amazing. They’re here for us, whatever we need.”