Mark Pope is swinging for the fences, and this time, he might’ve hit one onto the moon.

Mark Pope Goes Global: Kentucky Lands Croatian Star Andrija Jelavić

LEXINGTON — Mark Pope is swinging for the fences, and this time, he might’ve hit one onto the moon.

On Monday, the Kentucky men’s basketball program made waves across college basketball by announcing the official signing of Croatian phenom Andrija Jelavić, a 6-foot-11 forward from Zagreb who’s been turning heads in the Adriatic League with Mega Superbet. This isn’t just a promising addition  it’s a loud, proud declaration: Pope is building a team that isn’t afraid of borders, limits, or expectations.

A European Star with a Grown Man’s Game

Jelavić’s resume reads like a veteran’s. In 26 games this season for Mega Superbet  one of Europe’s premier development programs  he posted 11.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.0 steal per game, while shooting 50% from the field and knocking down 24 threes at a 32% clip. His 192 total rebounds included 41 on the offensive glass  an indicator of both his motor and feel for the game.

And then there was the game that sent scouts scrambling: a 23-point, 14-rebound demolition of KK Partizan, one of the toughest teams in the region. He shot 9-of-10 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc  a performance that screamed “NBA-ready.”

With six double-doubles and an average of nearly 28 minutes per game, Jelavić has already logged the kind of high-stakes minutes few college freshmen can relate to. In 2023–24, he averaged nearly identical numbers: 10.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, with solid shooting splits and improved efficiency from the free-throw line.

He’s no stranger to the international stage either. At the 2022 U18 Euro Championship, Jelavić averaged a monster 11.3 points and 11.0 rebounds over seven games  proving that when the lights are brightest, he shows up biggest.

Pope’s Global Blueprint

“Andrija’s a skilled, athletic, mobile veteran who’s been playing high-level ball for two years,” Pope said on Monday. “Mega’s one of the best development programs in Europe, and he’s been mentored there. His size, athleticism, and skill fit our system like a glove.”

It wasn’t just about fit, though. Pope revealed that during their first Zoom call, Jelavić was visibly emotional.

“You could see it in his face  Kentucky means the world to him,” Pope said. “He can’t wait to wear that jersey.”

More Than a Player  A Statement

This move is more than just a talent acquisition. It’s symbolic of what Mark Pope is crafting in Lexington: a program that respects its blue-blood legacy but isn’t shackled by it. This is a roster looking beyond borders, embracing skill, versatility, and basketball IQ wherever it may come from.

Jelavić now becomes just the second Croatian in program history, following last year’s breakout big man Zvonimir Ivišić, and joins an international fraternity that’s growing rapidly in Lexington. He brings a 7-foot-2 wingspan, a pro-ready frame, and a relentless work ethic forged in the fires of Europe’s elite leagues.

Buckle Up, Big Blue Nation

If Pope’s goal was to shake things up and turn Kentucky into a global basketball laboratory  mission accomplished. And with Jelavić’s name now etched onto the roster, the Wildcats have one more weapon in their arsenal: a stretch big who can rebound, run, and rain down threes.

Big Blue Nation, get ready because this Croatian sensation is bringing more than just potential. He’s bringing fire, finesse, and a fierce hunger to make Rupp Arena erupt.

The new era of Kentucky basketball isn’t just near. It’s here.