Ivisic Twins Decide to 'Run It Back' With Illini in 2026-27

Seven-footers Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic will return to Illinois for one more season.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:04am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action of a basketball game, with players' bodies and the ball broken down into overlapping, angular shapes and planes in vibrant colors.The Ivisic twins' return to the Illinois basketball team promises to provide another season of dynamic, high-energy play for the Illini.Champaign Today

The Ivisic twins, Tomislav and Zvonimir, have announced that they will return to the University of Illinois basketball team for the 2026-27 season. The 7-foot and 7-foot-2 brothers helped lead the Illini to the Final Four this past season and hope to build on that success with one more year in Champaign.

Why it matters

The return of the Ivisic twins is a major boost for the Illinois basketball program as they look to maintain their status as one of the top teams in the Big Ten. The Illini have been the winningest team in the conference over the past seven seasons, and keeping this talented frontcourt duo together for another year will be crucial to their continued success.

The details

Tomislav Ivisic, the elder twin, started 32 of 33 games for Illinois last season, averaging 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He battled injuries and illness early in the year but played his best basketball in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 12.8 points and 6.4 rebounds. Zvonimir Ivisic, the younger twin, played more of a reserve role but still made an impact, averaging 6.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game off the bench.

  • The Ivisic twins announced their decision to return to Illinois on April 15, 2026.
  • Tomislav Ivisic and Zvonimir Ivisic helped lead Illinois to the Final Four in the 2025-26 season.

The players

Tomislav Ivisic

A 7-foot center for the University of Illinois basketball team who has battled injuries but played his best basketball in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, averaging a double-double.

Zvonimir Ivisic

The 7-foot-2 younger twin brother of Tomislav Ivisic, who has provided a strong defensive presence off the bench for Illinois, averaging 2 blocks per game.

Brad Underwood

The head coach of the University of Illinois basketball team, who led the Illini to the Final Four in 2026 and is looking to build on that success with the return of the Ivisic twins.

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What they’re saying

“Take me to the Balkans, please!”

— Bill Raftery, Veteran basketball television analyst

What’s next

With the Ivisic twins returning, Illinois will look to build on its Final Four appearance and compete for a national championship in the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

The decision by the Ivisic twins to return to Illinois for one more season is a major boost for the Illini as they look to maintain their status as one of the top programs in the Big Ten. Their size, skill, and experience will be crucial as Illinois tries to make another deep NCAA Tournament run.