Andrija Jelavic’s Resurgence Could Be the Spark Kentucky Needs
Coming into the season, Kentucky’s biggest question mark wasn’t in the backcourt or on the wing-it was down low. With Jayden Quaintance limited to just four games before being sidelined again, the Wildcats’ frontcourt rotation was thrown into flux.
The coaching staff had options-Malachi Moreno, Mouhamed Dioubate, Brandon Garrison, and Andrija Jelavic-but no clear answers. Now, deep into the season, we’ve seen how the pieces have started to settle.
Moreno earned the starting nod and hasn’t looked back. Dioubate carved out a role as the relentless energy guy off the bench.
Garrison? He’s shown flashes of brilliance, especially in the Oklahoma game, but remains an unpredictable X-factor.
And that leaves us with Jelavic.
For a while, it looked like the 6-foot-10 Croatian had fallen completely out of the picture.
The Disappearing Act
After logging solid minutes early in the season, Jelavic’s role evaporated during the heart of Kentucky’s schedule. December and January came and went with his name missing from the box scores.
He didn’t see the floor in marquee matchups against Indiana, St. John’s, Alabama, and Missouri.
For a player trying to find his footing in a new system-and a new country-it could’ve been a breaking point.
He could’ve checked out. Focused on next season.
Started thinking about the transfer portal. But that’s not what happened.
The Necessary Reset
According to assistant coach Jason Hart, Jelavic’s absence from the rotation wasn’t about punishment-it was about perspective.
“He got a little down on himself early in the season… trying to come in, learn the language, learn our culture,” Hart said. “Sometimes sitting on the bench does that to you.
Light a fire up in you. And I don’t think he wants to go back to the bench.”
That fire? It’s burning now.
The Breakout Game
Against Oklahoma, Jelavic looked like a different player-more confident, more aggressive, more in sync. In 22 meaningful minutes, he scored 9 points on 3-of-5 shooting and grabbed 6 rebounds. He didn’t just fill minutes-he made an impact.
And here’s why that matters: Kentucky needs what Jelavic brings. He’s not just size in the paint; he’s a versatile big who can stretch the floor and still bang inside. In a frontcourt that’s been searching for consistent offensive production, Jelavic’s skill set fills a crucial gap.
The Role Moving Forward
If Kentucky is going to make any noise in March, it won’t be because one guy carries them. It’ll be because the team buys into the idea that the “hero” of the night changes depending on the matchup.
One night, it’s Trent Noah knocking down threes. The next, it’s Brandon Garrison controlling the paint.
And now? It might be Andrija Jelavic stepping in to give them that inside-out threat they’ve been missing.
This is what depth looks like. This is what growth looks like. And for Jelavic, this is what resilience looks like.
He didn’t want to be on the bench. No player does. But if that time on the sidelines helped him reset, refocus, and come back stronger, it might just end up being the turning point of Kentucky’s season.
Because when March rolls around, it’s not always about who started strong-it’s about who’s peaking at the right time. And right now, Andrija Jelavic looks like a player on the rise.