Kentucky Basketball Adds International Size and Skill as Croatian Stretch Forward Andrija Jelavic Officially Joins Wildcats Under Mark Pope
The Kentucky Wildcats have officially added a major piece to their roster with the commitment of Andrija Jelavic, a 6-foot-11 stretch forward from Croatia. Head coach Mark Pope confirmed the addition on Monday, expressing genuine excitement about the new recruit’s potential and the international flavor he brings to the program. Jelavic becomes one of the latest in a growing wave of international prospects making their mark in college basketball, and Kentucky is betting on his versatility and skill set to help redefine their frontcourt for the upcoming season.
Jelavic’s arrival is not just another roster move—it’s a statement. After years of building rosters heavy on elite American high school talent and transfer portal standouts, the Wildcats are taking a more global approach under Pope’s leadership. And in Jelavic, they’re getting a player who has proven himself against seasoned competition overseas and brings with him a set of tools that are difficult to find in a single package: size, shooting, basketball IQ, and mobility.
“Adding Andrija is huge for us,” Pope said. “He’s exactly the kind of modern big man that thrives in today’s game. He can space the floor, he’s unselfish, and he’s been playing against grown men. That experience and toughness will be incredibly valuable to our team.”
Jelavic hails from Zagreb, Croatia, and has spent the last two years competing in the Croatian professional league system, where he has played for both youth and senior teams. His most recent stint was with KK Cedevita Junior, one of the country’s premier development programs. There, he averaged 12.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting nearly 39% from three-point range—a highly respectable clip for a player of his size and age.
One of Jelavic’s most impressive traits is his shooting ability. At 6-foot-11, he has the kind of range that stretches defenses and forces opposing big men out of the paint, creating driving lanes for teammates and opening up offensive options that Kentucky has sorely lacked in recent seasons. Pope has made it clear that he wants his team to be positionless, dynamic, and versatile. Jelavic fits that mold perfectly.
“He’s not just a shooter,” Pope added. “He’s a basketball player. He can put the ball on the floor, he makes the right pass, and he’s incredibly coachable. He wants to get better, and that’s the kind of mentality we want here.”
While his offensive talent is evident, Jelavic also offers intriguing potential on the defensive side. Though not known as a shot-blocker in the traditional sense, he uses his length and timing to disrupt passing lanes and contest shots without fouling. His footwork is ahead of where most big men are at his age, which gives him the potential to defend in space and switch on screens—a necessity in today’s college game.
The recruitment of Jelavic was a collaborative effort that spanned continents. Kentucky’s international recruiting connections were pivotal, and Pope himself made multiple trips to Europe in recent months. Jelavic visited Lexington earlier this spring and was impressed by the facilities, the coaching staff, and the university’s commitment to both basketball and academics.
“I felt a connection with the coaches and the team,” Jelavic said in a statement. “Coach Pope really believes in my game and my future. I’m excited to be a part of something special at Kentucky.”
His decision comes at a critical time for the program, as the Wildcats transition into a new era following the departure of John Calipari. Pope has made it a priority to establish a culture of discipline, effort, and modern basketball principles. Adding a forward like Jelavic not only strengthens Kentucky’s frontcourt, but it also symbolizes a broader shift in how the program intends to compete on the national stage.
The Wildcats have seen an exodus of talent this offseason, with several players declaring for the NBA Draft or entering the transfer portal. As a result, Pope has had to rebuild on the fly, leaning heavily into the transfer market and overseas scouting. With Jelavic now officially on board, Kentucky gains a foundational piece to build around—a player with the ceiling of an NBA talent and the floor of a high-impact college starter.
Scouts have noted that Jelavic’s game is still developing in some areas, particularly in terms of physicality and rebounding consistency. But those are traits that can be honed through a structured strength and conditioning program, which Kentucky has in abundance. Pope and his staff are confident that Jelavic will not only adapt but thrive once immersed in the team’s culture.
“Andrija is just scratching the surface,” Pope said. “When he gets in the gym with our guys every day, when he starts lifting with our strength coach and practicing at the SEC level, I think people are going to be really surprised at how quickly he can make an impact.”
The commitment of Jelavic is also an example of Kentucky’s willingness to adapt to the evolving landscape of college basketball. With the rise of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals and the increasing fluidity of roster movement, schools must find new ways to compete for top talent. By extending its reach into international waters, Kentucky not only diversifies its roster but also taps into a relatively underutilized pool of players who are often more seasoned and fundamentally sound than their American counterparts.
Jelavic’s presence could also influence other international prospects to consider Kentucky. Having a European player thrive under Pope would send a message that the Wildcats are open for global business, much like schools such as Gonzaga, Arizona, and Baylor have demonstrated in recent years. The success of players like Domantas Sabonis, Lauri Markkanen, and Oscar Tshiebwe (albeit African, not European) has paved the way for more international bigs to find stardom in the NCAA ranks.
For Jelavic, the next few months will be critical as he adjusts to a new country, culture, and style of play. Kentucky fans will be eager to see him in action, and expectations will be high. But Pope believes that pressure is something Jelavic can handle—and perhaps even thrive under.
“He’s been in pressure situations before,” Pope said. “He’s represented his country, he’s played against pros. That maturity shows in how he carries himself. He’s not coming in here to be a project—he’s coming here to compete.”
With Jelavic’s commitment, Kentucky’s roster for the 2025-26 season begins to take clearer shape. He’ll likely slot into a frontcourt rotation that includes returners, transfers, and potentially one or two other freshmen, depending on how recruiting shakes out. Pope has emphasized a team-oriented, up-tempo system that rewards passing, spacing, and toughness. In that kind of scheme, a player like Jelavic—who can shoot, pass, and defend multiple positions—becomes even more valuable.
What separates Jelavic from many of his peers is his feel for the game. He doesn’t force shots, he moves without the ball, and he understands spacing. That basketball IQ, combined with his physical attributes, gives him a real chance to become a standout in the SEC. Whether it’s pick-and-pop threes, slipping screens for easy buckets, or anchoring a zone defense, Jelavic has the tools to contribute in a variety of ways.
Kentucky fans should be excited about what Jelavic brings—not just for the immediate season, but for the long-term direction of the program. Pope has proven that he’s not afraid to think outside the box and take bold steps to reshape Kentucky basketball. The signing of Andrija Jelavic is one of those steps, and it may be remembered as a defining move in the early stages of Pope’s tenure.
Jelavic will arrive in Lexington this summer and begin workouts with the team in June. Between now and then, he’ll continue training in Croatia, working with his personal coach to maintain his conditioning and further develop his inside-out game. Once on campus, the real work begins—but also the opportunity to turn potential into production.
For now, Kentucky fans can celebrate a promising addition with high upside and international intrigue. Andrija Jelavic is officially a Wildcat, and the Mark Pope era just got a whole lot more interesting.
