After months of anticipation, Andrija Jelavić is officially a Wildcat. The 6-foot-11 stretch forward from Croatia brings something unique to Mark Pope’s roster: two full years of professional basketball experience overseas.
At 21 years old, Jelavić isn’t your typical freshman. He spent the 2024-25 season playing with Mega Superbet in Serbia, where he averaged 10.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in nearly 28 minutes per game. He shot 48.5% from the field and 30.5% from three, numbers that highlight his ability to stretch the floor and fit seamlessly into Pope’s modern, pace-and-space offense.
Where Does Jelavić Rank Internationally?
That’s been the big question ever since he landed in Lexington. To get a clearer picture, three respected international scouting outlets combined to form a consensus Top 50 list of 2025 international prospects heading to college basketball. Jelavić checked in at No. 20 overall, with one voter placing him as high as No. 13.
Meanwhile, 247Sports also slotted him at No. 19 in its own international player rankings, putting him firmly in the conversation as one of the top foreign talents set to hit the NCAA next season.
The Top of the Class
No. 1 Hannes Steinbach (Washington) – The German center was a standout at the U19 FIBA World Cup and is viewed as one of the best bigs in the class.
No. 3 Dame Sarr (Duke) – A guard projected as a possible lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Louisville also landed a pair of notable names in the top 25: Sananda Fru (No. 8) and Vangelis Zougris (No. 22).
Familiar faces from Jelavić’s past also made the list: Mihailo Petrović (Illinois, No. 9) and Filip Jovic (Auburn, No. 11), both of whom were former teammates.
What This Means for Kentucky
Kentucky’s roster already had depth before Jelavić arrived, but his addition only raises the program’s ceiling. While he may not be expected to dominate right away, his pro experience, skill set, and versatility could allow him to contribute sooner than many anticipate.
For Mark Pope, anything Jelavić adds is a bonus. If the Croatian forward develops into a consistent piece of the rotation, the Wildcats could be even more dangerous in their pursuit of championships.
