In his first full offseason as Kentucky’s head coach, Mark Pope wasted no time putting his stamp on the Wildcats’ program. He scoured every corner of the transfer portal and recruiting market—but one of his boldest moves came from halfway across the world.
That move? Bringing in Andrija Jelavic, a 6’11” Croatian forward with a guard’s skillset, an elite international résumé, and the potential to turn Kentucky into a national title contender overnight.
An Unconventional Talent With a Global Pedigree
Jelavic isn’t your typical power forward. Before landing in Lexington, he was showcasing his talent on one of Europe’s top developmental stages—Mega Superbet, a Serbian powerhouse known for producing NBA talent like Nikola Jokić and Ivica Zubac.
Overseas, Jelavic flashed skills that raised eyebrows. He wasn’t just a stretch-four; he was a legitimate ball-handler, shot creator, and floor spacer, all packed into a nearly seven-foot frame. In a European system that emphasizes fundamentals, ball movement, and spacing, Jelavic thrived.
“He’s a unicorn,” one scout noted. “You don’t see many 6’11” guys who can dribble coast-to-coast and stop on a dime to hit a three.”
What He Brings to Kentucky
At Kentucky, Jelavic arrives with sky-high intrigue—but also a bit of mystery. While he played professionally in Europe, college basketball presents a very different test: speed, athleticism, and physicality night in and night out.
Still, early reports from team practices suggest that Jelavic is not only adjusting—he’s thriving. His jumper is translating to the American game, and he’s quickly absorbing Pope’s system.
“He’s been lights out from deep,” one assistant coach reportedly said. “He plays with confidence, doesn’t get rattled, and sees the floor like a point guard.”
At 6’11”, Jelavic offers elite versatility on offense. He can:
Pick and pop as a shooter from the top of the key
Take slower bigs off the dribble
Facilitate from the high post
Create mismatches by dragging bigs out to the perimeter
Defensively, he’s not known as a stopper—but he moves well, has a solid wingspan, and isn’t afraid to fight on the boards. “He’s not a liability,” said one insider. “He holds his own.”
Battle for the Four Spot: Jelavic vs. Dioubate
Perhaps the most intriguing storyline heading into the season is the position battle between Jelavic and Mo Dioubate, a transfer from Alabama. The two power forwards couldn’t be more different:
Dioubate is a defense-first, high-energy bruiser with elite rebounding instincts and the ability to stretch the floor just enough to keep defenses honest.
Jelavic is a finesse-based playmaker who spaces the floor with his shooting and punishes mismatches with his unique handle and passing.
This battle won’t just decide the starter—it will shape the identity of Kentucky’s frontcourt.
Pope may choose to start one and bring the other off the bench, or he may even experiment with playing them together in spurts. Either way, it’s a luxury problem that most coaches would love to have.
The Wildcard That Could Raise Kentucky’s Ceiling
Let’s be honest—nobody truly knows what Jelavic will become until he hits the court in a real NCAA game. European prospects are notoriously difficult to project. For every Luka Dončić, there’s a host of players who struggled to adapt to the American game.
But when you watch clips of Jelavic playing in Serbia—dribbling like a guard, making reads on the move, pulling up from deep with confidence—it’s easy to dream.
If his skillset translates even 75%, Kentucky is getting a one-of-a-kind weapon that most teams can’t match.
And if it all clicks?
We’re talking about a possible lottery pick and a player who could help take Kentucky from dangerous to dominant.
Why This Matters for Mark Pope and Big Blue Nation
Mark Pope knows the expectations in Lexington. Winning 20 games and making the tournament isn’t enough. Kentucky fans want banners—and fast.
Bringing in Jelavic signals that Pope isn’t just looking for traditional talent. He’s willing to think globally, take calculated risks, and build a team with a modern, positionless identity.
With guards who can score, wings who can defend, and bigs like Jelavic who can do it all, Pope might be quietly assembling one of the most dangerous and versatile rosters in college basketball.
Final Thought: Jelavic Is the Key to Kentucky’s National Title Hopes
Kentucky is already viewed as one of the nine teams capable of winning the 2026 NCAA Tournament, according to national media. But that prediction likely assumes the usual suspects carry the load.
If Andrija Jelavic becomes the player he’s capable of being?
This team isn’t just a dark horse. It’s a title favorite.
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Andrew Stefaniak is the publisher of Kentucky Wildcats on SI and host of the Wildcats Today podcast. Follow his coverage for insider updates throughout the season.
