Andrija Jelavic’s journey from Croatia to Kentucky wasn’t just about chasing a basketball dream-it was about finding his place, earning his minutes, and proving he belongs. And now, midway through the SEC grind, it looks like the 6-foot-7 forward has carved out a role that’s not just valuable-it’s vital.
After spending the early part of the season watching from the bench, Jelavic has worked his way into the starting lineup for Mark Pope’s Wildcats, bringing a blend of toughness, timely shooting, and a physical edge that Kentucky has been missing. His emergence couldn’t have come at a better time, with Kentucky heading into a crucial home matchup against Tennessee.
“Super proud of him,” said assistant coach Jason Hart after Kentucky’s recent win over Oklahoma. “He got a little down on himself early in the season-coming from another country, trying to learn the language and our system.
But when he sat, he learned. And sometimes, that time on the bench lights a fire.”
That fire is clearly burning now. Jelavic has been playing with urgency, confidence, and a clear understanding of what Coach Pope wants from him. He’s stretching the floor with his shooting, embracing contact on defense, and bringing a little edge to a Kentucky team that’s had to fight for its identity in SEC play.
He didn’t get here by accident. Jelavic’s path to the starting five was built on persistence. There was a stretch where he wasn’t playing at all, but instead of checking out, he doubled down.
“There were ups and downs,” Jelavic said. “We started bad in the SEC, and I thought, let’s try with me. I knew I had to be ready when the opportunity came.”
That opportunity arrived against Mississippi State, and Jelavic made the most of it. Since then, he’s been a fixture in the starting lineup, and his play has backed it up.
Against Oklahoma, he posted nine points on 3-of-5 shooting, grabbed six boards, and dished out three assists. He knocked down two early threes that helped set the tone-something he says is becoming a point of pride for this team.
“I like us starting hot,” Jelavic said. “It’s been the last two games. We started well, and that’s important.”
For a Kentucky team that’s had a habit of digging itself into early holes, those fast starts are a welcome shift. And Jelavic’s physical presence has played a big part in that. He’s not just spacing the floor-he’s bringing some grit to the frontcourt.
That physicality isn’t accidental. Assistant coach Mikhail McLean has taken a hands-on approach-literally.
Last week, Kentucky’s bigs started practice by putting on boxing gloves and hitting punching bags. It’s an unconventional drill with a very clear message: toughen up.
“We’re literally punching them,” Jelavic said with a grin. “Coach emphasizes that.
It’s been really good. We’ve been doing it for the past two games, and it’s brought good results.”
That edge has translated to the court. Jelavic isn’t afraid to throw his weight around early in games, setting the tone physically-even if it doesn’t always show up in the box score.
“When I can punch a guy, make contact, and it’s not being seen by the referees-it means a lot to our team,” he said. “We started doing that in the Arkansas game, and it helped. Even when you make contact and get a foul, it gave us energy.”
It’s the kind of gritty, unselfish play that doesn’t always make headlines, but it changes games. And for a Kentucky team looking to hit its stride in February, Jelavic’s emergence could be one of the most important developments of the season.
He’s not just filling a role-he’s helping shape the identity of this team. And right now, that identity is starting to look a lot tougher, a lot more confident, and a lot more dangerous.