Andrija Jelavic, what should the Wildcats fans expect from their latest international commit?
Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats just signed Jelavic, one of the top-ranked European prospects in his age group. Jelavic is the third player in Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class after guard Jasper Johnson and center Malachi Moreno.
The Croatian averaged 10.8 points, 1.6 assists, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 30 minutes per game the past two seasons playing in Serbia. He shot over 60% from the field. Mark Pope continues to add to his roster as Kentucky hopes to improve on the Sweet 16 finish this year.
What are Jelavic’s Strengths and Weaknesses?
Jelavic is an international prospect who could have declared for the draft but is taking the NCAA route. He announced his commitment to Kentucky in Saturday through his agent.
NEWS: Croatian big man Andrija Jelavic has committed to Kentucky, his agent Misko Raznatovic told ESPN. The Mega MIS product, who turns 21 next month, is one of the most highly regarded European prospects taking the NCAA route. pic.twitter.com/FaYLZoZTm6
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 12, 2025
What should the Wildcats expect from their new international talent? He is 6’11 “tall, so you can expect him to grab a lot of boards. Jelavic averaged 7.6 rebounds in the 23/24 season. He averaged 10.3 points while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 28.7 percent from behind the arc.
In the playoffs that year, he averaged 13.8 points while shooting an impressive 70.4 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three-point range, adding 5 rebounds and 1.8 assists over their four-game playoff run.
At the 2021 FIBA u18 European Challengers, Jelavic averaged 14.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2 assists per game in just 5 games. At the 2022 FIBA u18 European Championship, he averaged 11.3 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game in 7 games.
Although he’s just about to clock 21, Jelavic has several seasons of international basketball under his belt, so he’s bringing a lot of experience, and he’ll be a major addition to the Kentucky frontcourt.
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This is a much-needed depth addition as well, being that new commit Jayden Quaintance has a long road to recovery from ACL surgery, while Malachi Moreno will be a true freshman, and Brandon Garrison logged just 17.3 minutes per game last season. Mo Dioubate is expected to start at the 4, but he’ll now have some serious competition for that spot.
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