When Croatian big man Andrija Jelavić arrived at Kentucky last summer, coach Mark Pope’s expectations were high.
“He’s a vet,” Pope said. “He’s been playing against grown men, so he should bring a lot. I expect him to come in here and have an immediate impact.”
Early in the 2025-26 season, Jelavić seemed poised to do just that. The 6-foot-11 forward appeared in 11 of Kentucky’s first 13 games, logging at least 10 minutes in nearly every outing. But as the season progressed, his playing time dwindled.
Jelavić showed flashes of brilliance — notably limiting UNC freshman Caleb Wilson to 5-of-19 shooting — but also had games where he was mostly absent. Against Indiana on Dec. 13, he didn’t see the floor at all, though Pope downplayed the absence, citing matchups and team adjustments.
“He’s our most effective post player, especially at the 4,” Pope said. “There’s space for him to be really effective, and I expect him to help us in the future.”
Yet the “immediate impact” Jelavić was expected to have hasn’t fully materialized. He played just seven minutes against Bellarmine and didn’t suit up in Kentucky’s SEC opener loss to Alabama on Jan. 3.
Statistically, Jelavić shows potential. He’s averaging 5.6 points and 4 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game, with a per-40-minute output equivalent to a double-double (15.4 points, 10.9 rebounds). He’s shooting 47.4% from the field and has had standout rebounding games, including a career-high 10 boards against Tennessee Tech.
However, struggles remain. Jelavić has made just 22.2% of his three-point attempts (6-of-27), and advanced metrics paint a sobering picture. According to EvanMiya.com’s Bayesian Performance Rating (BPR), Jelavić ranks lowest among Kentucky’s scholarship players, posting negative-0.11 overall — with the lowest offensive (-0.37) and defensive (0.26) BPR on the team. Adjusted offensive and defensive efficiencies also drop when he’s on the court.
Defense and communication appear to be the biggest hurdles holding Jelavić back.
“So much of where the game is going now is taxing you to make decisive communication happen in real time on the court,” Pope said. “That’s a space where he’s growing. But he’s a good player, and there’s definitely room for him to help us.”
If Jelavić can sharpen his defense and adapt to Kentucky’s pace, Pope believes his offensive skills could carve out a meaningful role — particularly at the 4.
For now, Jelavić remains a player with tantalizing upside but inconsistent impact. Whether he can turn his season around and re-establish himself in the rotation is a storyline Kentucky fans will be watching closely.
Ryan Black covers Kentucky men’s basketball and football. Follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
