Creighton men’s basketball fans received an early Christmas present on Saturday when the program announced that Fedor Žugić had been granted immediate eligibility from the NCAA.
The 6-foot-6, 215-pound wing from Podgorica, Montenegro, has sat out Creighton’s first 12 games while waiting news from the NCAA. His initial waiver claim was denied, but his appeal was successful. Žugić has played professionally for several years, making history as the youngest person to play in a Euro League game at 15 years old. He spent last season with BG Göttingen, a German club, and put up 10.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 35.8% from 3 across 47 games.
“All I’ve got to say is they’ll see when they see,” Jamiya Neal told Hurrdat Sports before the season. “He’s nice. He definitely pushes me every day. I guard him every day and he makes me better, because he can he can shoot really well, he can pass, he’s athletic. That’s what I didn’t know coming in, he can actually jump. He’s got some bounce, too. So he’s just great and hopefully we get him really, really soon, because he’s going to be a great piece for us.”
The 21-year-old Žugić has spent most of the season practicing with the scout team as Creighton focused on game preparation while awaiting the NCAA’s ruling.
He can provide an infusion of perimeter shooting as well as the ability to attack closeouts or run second-side pick-and-rolls. The offensive punch will be very welcome for a Creighton team that lost a huge offensive piece in Pop Isaacs, who underwent season-ending surgery after playing in eight games.
Creighton (7-5) is coming off an 81-57 loss at Georgetown in the Bluejays’ Big East opener, the program’s first loss to the Hoyas since the 2021 Big East Tournament final.
Creighton will host Villanova on Saturday afternoon looking to get back on track. The Wildcats are 8-4 and are coming off a 79-67 win at home against Seton Hall to open conference play. They are 10th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency according to KenPom and feature the nation’s leading scorer in stretch big Eric Dixon. The 6-foot-8 fifth-year senior is averaging 25.7 points while shooting 49.3% from 3.
Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. CT on FS1 with Connor Onion and Nick Bahe on the call.
