Illinois Twins Lead Illini to Final Four in Reunion Year

Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivišić help power Illinois' deep NCAA Tournament run.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:08am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the Ivišić twins in motion on a basketball court, with their figures fragmented into overlapping planes of bright orange, blue, and green.The Ivišić twins' sibling chemistry and complementary skills have been a driving force behind Illinois' improbable Final Four run.Indianapolis Today

Twins Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivišić have played key roles in leading the University of Illinois men's basketball team to the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The 7-foot-1 center Tomislav hit a crucial 3-pointer in the Elite Eight win over Iowa, while his twin brother Zvonimir, a starting guard, has provided scoring and playmaking throughout the tournament run.

Why it matters

The Ivišić twins' success in leading Illinois to the Final Four comes in a special reunion year, as the two brothers had not played together since high school. Their on-court chemistry and complementary skills have been a major factor in the Illini's deep tournament push.

The details

Tomislav Ivišić, the 7-foot-1 center, hit a clutch 3-pointer in the final minutes of Illinois' Elite Eight win over Iowa to help seal the victory. His twin brother Zvonimir, the starting guard, has averaged 15.2 points and 4.8 assists per game in the tournament. The two brothers had not played on the same team since their high school days, making their Final Four run even more meaningful.

  • Illinois defeated Iowa in the Elite Eight on March 30, 2026.
  • The Ivišić twins last played on the same team in high school prior to joining the University of Illinois.

The players

Tomislav Ivišić

A 7-foot-1 center for the University of Illinois men's basketball team who hit a crucial 3-pointer in the Elite Eight win over Iowa.

Zvonimir Ivišić

The starting guard for the University of Illinois men's basketball team and twin brother of Tomislav Ivišić, averaging 15.2 points and 4.8 assists per game in the NCAA Tournament.

University of Illinois

The men's basketball team that has advanced to the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, led by the twin brothers Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivišić.

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What they’re saying

“It's been an incredible journey to get back on the court together. We've been dreaming of this moment since we were kids.”

— Tomislav Ivišić, Illinois Center

“The chemistry we've built over the years is really showing on the court. We're just enjoying every minute of this tournament run.”

— Zvonimir Ivišić, Illinois Guard

What’s next

Illinois will face the winner of the West Regional final in the Final Four on April 5, 2026.

The takeaway

The Ivišić twins' heartwarming reunion and dominant performance in leading Illinois to the Final Four has captured the attention of college basketball fans nationwide, showcasing the power of sibling chemistry and the Illini's resilience in a special season.