In a surprise recruiting coup for Kentucky basketball, 6-foot-11 Croatian power forward Andrija Jelavic has committed to the Wildcats for the 2025-26 season. The 20-year-old European prospect brings professional experience from Serbia’s competitive ABA League where he developed his unique skillset with Mega MIS.
Kentucky’s second-year head coach Mark Pope continues building his international pipeline with Jelavic, who averaged 10.8 points and 7.4 rebounds in his final professional season. The commitment strengthens a frontcourt that includes transfers Jayden Quaintance and Mouhamed Dioubate alongside freshman Malachi Moreno.
“Unicorn” Forward Brings Versatility to Wildcats’ Frontcourt
Jelavic’s performance contradicts typical big man stereotypes, balancing rebounding skills with perimeter scoring and ball-handling abilities uncommon for his 6-foot-11 stature. His 7-foot-2 wingspan and lateral quickness allow him to guard multiple spots and has the potential to stretch to the four.
The Zagreb native demonstrated improvement during his professional career, developing as a shooter who connected on 32.3% of his three-point attempts this past season. Though his shooting remains streaky rather than consistent, his experience against grown men in one of Europe’s toughest leagues should prepare him for the physical demands of SEC basketball.
During his latest season with Mega MIS, Jelavic demonstrated his ability to influence games outside of scoring, posting 1.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game in 2024-25. His defensive acumen was evident in January 2024 when he posted a career-high six steals in an ABA League game.
Professional Experience Provides Immediate Impact Potential
Jelavic’s time with Mega MIS, a club that has produced NBA talent including Nikola Jokic, has helped prepare him for high-level competition. His statistical production, including 10.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and nearly a block per game, demonstrates his all-around effectiveness.
The Croatian’s playoff experience adds another dimension to Kentucky’s roster, having averaged 13.8 points with 70.4% field goal percentage and 44.4% from three-point range on 2.3 attempts per game during postseason play. His ability to perform under pressure could prove valuable for a Kentucky program looking to return to national prominence under Pope’s leadership.
Jelavic’s basketball career started with Croatia’s Cedevita Junior before joining OKK Beograd in the Serbian KLS for the 2022-23 season, where he recorded 13.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. His performance earned his team promotion to the Serbian Super League, demonstrating his capability to help win basketball games.
Junior achievements consist of winning both the U19 ABA League Championship and EuroLeague Junior Championship with Mega MIS in 2022. He also participated with Croatia on the international scene, averaging 11.3 points and 11.0 rebounds at the 2022 U18 European Championship.
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Jelavic is part of a 2025 recruiting class that also features guard Jasper Johnson and center Malachi Moreno, rounding out a roster with 12 projected scholarship players. As the second Croatian to play for Kentucky, he extends the program’s tradition of international recruiting while possibly setting himself up for future NBA possibilities.
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