Andrija Jelavić Steps Up in Kentucky’s Loss to UNC, Shows He Belongs in the Rotation
The box score won’t tell the full story of Andrija Jelavić’s night - and frankly, it doesn’t even come close. Six points, four rebounds, a block, and three fouls in 24 minutes during Kentucky’s 67-64 loss to North Carolina doesn’t exactly scream “breakout performance.” But for anyone who watched the game, it was clear: Jelavić didn’t just hold his own - he made a statement.
The 6-foot-11 sophomore was thrown into the fire during a tight, physical matchup against one of the most talented frontcourts in college basketball. And while Kentucky’s offense sputtered through a brutal 10-minute scoring drought in the second half - a stretch that ultimately cost them the game - Jelavić quietly delivered some of the most impactful minutes of his young career.
Let’s set the scene. With Mo Dioubate sidelined, Kam Williams got the starting nod at the four and drew the unenviable task of checking North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson - a five-star freshman, projected NBA lottery pick, and a player Kentucky was very much in the mix for during recruiting.
Wilson entered the night averaging nearly a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double while shooting a blistering 58.8 percent from the field. Williams held his own early, but two quick fouls sent him to the bench just five minutes in.
That’s when Jelavić got his shot.
He’d played just 20 total minutes in Kentucky’s previous two blowout losses to Michigan State and Louisville, but this time, he was ready. Thrown into a high-stakes matchup against one of the best freshmen in the country, Jelavić didn’t back down. He made Wilson work for every inch of space, contesting shots, bodying up in the post, and refusing to let the Tar Heels star dictate the action.
Wilson finished with 15 points, but it took him 19 shots to get there - his worst shooting performance of the season. And a big reason for that?
Jelavić. The sophomore was physical, disciplined, and smart on the defensive end.
He didn’t bite on fakes, kept his feet under him, and forced Wilson into uncomfortable spots. While he wasn’t credited with a steal, Jelavić had a key defensive moment late in the first half when he poked the ball free from Wilson in the post, leading to a transition dunk for the Wildcats.
His lone block came in crunch time - a huge swat on Wilson with just over a minute to go and Kentucky clinging to a one-point lead.
“I definitely was on the floor more than usual tonight,” Jelavić said afterward. “I knew that it was my chance, and my minutes were going to come sooner than later.
I wasn’t really thinking about guarding their best player. I just wanted to go out there and play for Coach Pope.”
That mindset - focused, team-first, and ready - showed up in every minute Jelavić played. Offensively, he didn’t try to do too much.
His three-point shot wasn’t falling (0-for-3), but he went 3-for-3 inside the arc, scoring all six of his points in the post. Two of those buckets came against Wilson, and they weren’t cheap ones.
Jelavić used his length and footwork to carve out space and finish through contact - the kind of plays that don’t just show up in the stat sheet but earn trust from coaches and teammates.
Mark Pope certainly noticed.
“I think Jelavić gave us some good minutes, I was proud of him,” Pope said postgame. “I think he gave us some solid minutes.”
Kentucky’s now 0-3 against ranked opponents, and the offense has struggled to find rhythm in big moments. But amid the frustration, Jelavić’s performance was a bright spot - and a reminder that the Wildcats might have more untapped potential on the bench than previously thought. He’s not a finished product, but he’s showing signs of being a reliable rotation piece, especially in matchups that demand size, toughness, and defensive discipline.
If Kentucky’s going to turn things around, they’ll need more than just their stars to step up. They’ll need role players like Jelavić to keep making the most of their minutes - and maybe even earn a few more along the way.