Kentucky basketball fans have a new name to watch — Andrija Jelavic. The 6-foot-11 forward from Croatia arrived in Lexington just weeks ago and has been working hard to catch up after missing the entire summer practice schedule. While his journey so far has been bumpy, those close to the team believe Jelavic’s best basketball is yet to come.
A Rough Start for Kentucky’s Latest International Prospect
Jelavic’s arrival was delayed, and that put him at a significant disadvantage. He missed all eight weeks of summer workouts and had to dive headfirst into a team moving at lightning speed and playing at an incredibly high level. “The first week, it was tough,” Jelavic admitted openly. “I’m not gonna lie.”
Adjusting to the pace and physicality of college basketball — especially in a program as demanding as Kentucky — hasn’t been easy. “I knew how to score,” he said, “but finishing plays and handling the ball against guys with really fast hands was challenging.” The energy and speed of practice forced Jelavic to elevate his game quickly.
Finding His Groove
After a week of intense adjustment, things started to click. Jelavic pinpointed the latter part of last week as a turning point. “Thursday, Friday, Saturday — those were the first three practices where I felt really good. I had a big impact — scoring, assisting, rebounding.”
This progress is crucial, especially with the Wildcats’ exhibition opener against Purdue just around the corner on October 24 and the regular season tipping off November 4 against Nicholls in Rupp Arena. Jelavic says he expects to be fully ready by then, signaling optimism for his role this season.
Coach Mark Pope Praises Jelavic’s Growth
UK head coach Mark Pope understands the uphill climb Jelavic faces. “Summer is important for us, so coming in eight weeks behind is tough, especially with the way we play — so decision- and learning-intensive,” Pope explained.
“But since starting in the fall, he’s been on a mad dash to catch up. At first, I think he was like, ‘What have I signed up for?’ But now, he’s showing signs of catching up, and he’s gonna be really fun.”
Teammates Notice the Progress
Jelavic’s teammates echo those sentiments. Point guard Jaland Lowe called him a quick learner who is soaking up the team’s system rapidly. “He’s long and can shoot the ball, too,” Lowe said. “That’s always great for us because we need shooters to space the floor.”
Sophomore guard Collin Chandler compared Jelavic’s adjustment to his own experience of returning to basketball after a two-year Mormon mission. “Coming in weeks behind is hard, but he’s handled it with a lot of grace and patience,” Chandler said. “He’s going to continue to grow.”
The European Connection and Playing Style Shift
Jelavic’s transition is not just about catching up physically but adapting to a different style of basketball. He has experience playing professionally in Serbia for two seasons, where he put up solid numbers — averaging 11 points and 7.4 rebounds per game with a respectable 32.1% from three-point range.
Yet, Jelavic noted the pace and physicality in the NCAA is a step up. “When you catch the ball in the paint here, there are already four guys on you,” he said, highlighting the intense defense and quick reactions required in college hoops.
Kentucky’s style leans heavily on spreading the floor and shooting from long range, which suits Jelavic’s skill set well. According to the team’s in-house shot tracking, Jelavic has been one of the most active shooters during practice, second only to star forward Otega Oweh, who fired up over 8,200 shots in the past month. Jelavic himself took nearly 7,850 attempts — showing his determination to find his rhythm.
Role on the Team: A Valuable Weapon Off the Bench?
With Mouhamed Dioubate expected to start at power forward, Jelavic could carve out a crucial backup role, bringing a different style to the frontcourt. Oweh hinted at this dynamic, saying, “He’s still figuring it out, but he definitely has skill. Having two different styles at the four spot gives us flexibility and different looks to throw at teams.”
Following in the Footsteps of a Fellow Croatian
Jelavic has followed a similar path to another Croatian forward, Zvonimir Ivisic, who faced a lengthy NCAA eligibility battle two years ago before eventually transferring and playing at Arkansas and Illinois. Jelavic has maintained close contact with Ivisic, who encouraged him and shared his experience.
One piece of advice from Ivisic was about handling American food — specifically to avoid too much Papa John’s pizza early on, which had made Ivisic sick. Jelavic says he’s steered clear of that mistake, enjoying his new life in Lexington.
A New Coach, A New Culture
Perhaps one of the most positive aspects of Jelavic’s experience so far has been his relationship with Coach Mark Pope. Jelavic praised Pope’s calm and supportive coaching style, which differs from what he was used to back home. “Even when you make a mistake, he says, ‘I really love this, but I’d love it even more if you did this,’”
