Andrija Jelavic Ranked as Top-20 International Player in NCAA This Season

Andrija Jelavic Ranked as Top-20 International Player in NCAA This Season
Croatian big man adds mystery, excitement to Kentucky’s 2025 campaign

Mark Pope’s second season in Lexington has been defined by roster-building precision and high expectations. After re-energizing the program with his arrival, Pope now has a roster that blends homegrown talent, proven transfers, and an international presence that could make Kentucky one of the most versatile and intriguing teams in college basketball this year. Among those pieces, few players bring as much curiosity and potential upside as Croatian forward Andrija Jelavic.

The 6-foot-10 Jelavic arrived in Lexington later than most of his teammates, only officially joining the Wildcats in recent days. But his reputation precedes him. Known across Europe as a highly skilled stretch-big with the ability to score inside and out, Jelavic has already made waves in the scouting world. According to NBA Draft On-Point, Jelavic has been ranked as the No. 20 overall international player in college basketball this season, and the No. 4 international prospect in the SEC.

That ranking is no small feat. The SEC continues to grow its international footprint, with players from across the globe arriving to test themselves against America’s most competitive basketball conference. For Jelavic to crack the upper tier before even logging a minute in Kentucky blue speaks volumes about how scouts view his long-term upside.

A Different Kind of Big Man

Unlike the traditional paint-bound centers Kentucky fans have sometimes been accustomed to, Jelavic brings a more modern approach to the frontcourt. His game is built around versatility. With a soft shooting touch, he is capable of stretching defenses beyond the three-point arc, opening up driving lanes for Kentucky’s guards. At the same time, his size and length make him a capable rim protector and rebounder, especially in Pope’s defensive schemes that prioritize activity and physicality.

“He’s not just a project,” one scout noted in a recent European basketball report. “He’s a player with NBA tools. What he needs is exposure to high-level competition and there’s no better place to get that than Kentucky.”

The Pope Factor

How exactly Jelavic will fit into Mark Pope’s system is one of the big questions entering the season. Pope has already shown a willingness to adapt to his roster’s strengths, and with Jelavic’s unique skill set, he may look to run more five-out lineups or utilize the Croatian as a floor-spacing big in pick-and-pop situations.

Pope’s history of developing versatile forwards during his time at BYU suggests that Jelavic is walking into the right environment. For a player still transitioning from European basketball to the college game, having a coach who emphasizes freedom, spacing, and skill development is an invaluable advantage.

What BBN Should Expect

For Kentucky fans, Jelavic represents both promise and patience. He may not dominate right away adjusting to the pace, physicality, and style of the SEC can take time for international players but flashes of brilliance should be expected. His size, combined with a skill set that allows him to step outside and hit shots, makes him a matchup nightmare for traditional big men.

The biggest unknown is how quickly he acclimates to the speed of the American game. But if he settles in, Jelavic could be the kind of X-factor that takes Kentucky from “very good” to “elite.”

Building Toward March

Rankings are just projections, but they reflect something important: Jelavic has the attention of NBA evaluators before ever stepping onto the floor at Rupp Arena. For Kentucky, that’s exciting. It means Pope’s roster is not only loaded with recognizable names, but also with potential breakout stars.

This season, BBN will watch Jelavic develop in real time seeing whether he can transform his flashes of international promise into consistent college production. If he does, Kentucky’s frontcourt could be among the most dynamic in the country.

For now, one thing is certain: Andrija Jelavic has arrived, and all eyes are on him.