From med school to March Madness? It’s not your average college basketball story. But the Kentucky Wildcats may be on the verge of something special — and it’s all thanks to two men who walked away from white coats and surgical gloves to chase basketball dreams.
One is calling the plays. The other is executing them. Both were this close to becoming doctors.
Now, they might just lead Kentucky to its first national title in over a decade.
Mark Pope Was on the Path to Medicine — Then He Chose Madness
Before becoming one of the most intriguing head coaches in college basketball, Mark Pope was preparing for a career in medicine. He was deep into medical school, studying long hours and preparing for a life in hospitals and clinics.
Then came the fork in the road.
Pope couldn’t shake the love he had for basketball. He walked away from his medical education and convinced then-Georgia head coach Mark Fox to give him a shot on the coaching staff.
That decision may have changed the course of Kentucky basketball history.
> “I would have been a terrible doctor,” Pope recently said on the Field of 68 podcast.
“It was one of the scariest, riskiest decisions of my life — but it was the right one.”
Since then, Pope has steadily built a coaching résumé that now has him at the helm of one of the sport’s bluebloods. But he’s not the only one on the Kentucky bench with a medical past.
Andrija Jelavic: From Future Surgeon to Frontcourt Star
When Andrija Jelavic committed to Kentucky, most fans were focused on his size, athleticism, and ability to stretch the floor. What they didn’t know was that the Croatian big man had once been pursuing a path just as demanding as basketball — medicine.
In a recent interview with the UK Sports Network, Jelavic revealed that he had been planning to attend medical school before deciding to pursue basketball full-time. He had the grades, the discipline, and the ambition to make it in the medical field — but his heart was on the court.
Now, he’s one of the most promising new faces in Lexington.
At 6’10”, Jelavic is not just a physical presence — he’s a student of the game, a cerebral player who can read defenses, space the floor, and provide elite rim protection. With a high basketball IQ and a relentless work ethic, he’s expected to make an immediate impact for the Wildcats.
Not Just a Fluke: The Athlete-to-Doctor Pipeline Is Real
While it might sound rare, the crossover between high-level athletics and medicine is more common than you’d think — especially in the NFL. Several former professional athletes have gone on to become successful doctors after their playing days were over:
Dr. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif — The Kansas City Chiefs guard completed medical school while still in the NFL and won a Super Bowl.
Dr. Myron Rolle — Former Florida State standout and Tennessee Titans safety, now a neurosurgery resident at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Samkon Gado — Former Green Bay Packers running back who now practices as an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
Others like Dr. Dan Fortmann and Dr. Milt McColl also followed similar paths. They credit their athletic careers with instilling the focus, discipline, and teamwork necessary to succeed in medicine — qualities Pope and Jelavic both clearly possess.
The X-Factor for Kentucky? Intelligence
While Kentucky is known for producing NBA talent and fielding elite athletes, this year’s squad might stand out for another reason: brainpower.
With a head coach who once studied to become a doctor and a new star forward who was on a similar path, Kentucky has a unique advantage both on and off the court. This isn’t just about muscle and speed — it’s about preparation, problem-solving, and mental toughness.
In a season where chemistry, leadership, and basketball IQ could be the difference between a Final Four run and early exit, the Wildcats may have just found the perfect formula.
Final Thoughts: The Best Decision They Never Regretted
Neither Mark Pope nor Andrija Jelavic became doctors. They won’t be writing prescriptions or performing surgeries anytime soon.
But what they are doing is preparing Kentucky for a potential title run — one rooted in intelligence, passion, and bold decisions.
Kentucky fans have reason to believe: The smartest team in the country might just be the one wearing blue and white.
And if everything goes right this season, Mark Pope and Andrija Jelavic could go down not just as the duo who walked away from medicine — but as the pair who brought Kentucky basketball back to life.
