How Zvonimir Ivišić Helped Andrija Jelavić Find His Way to Kentucky And the Advice He’ll Never Forget
LEXINGTON, Ky. Sometimes, destiny writes its own story. For Kentucky’s newest Croatian sensation, Andrija Jelavić, that story began not with a scouting call or a recruiting pitch but with a phone call that lasted less than ten minutes and a quiet word of encouragement from a familiar voice.
That voice belonged to Zvonimir Ivišić, the 7-foot-2 fan-favorite who captured Big Blue Nation’s heart just a year ago. His time in Lexington was brief, chaotic, unforgettable and, as it turns out, deeply influential.
When Jelavić was weighing his next move, it wasn’t a question of where he wanted to go, but how fast he could get there.
“When Coach (Mark) Pope called me personally, it was a no-brainer,” Jelavić told KSR. “Even someone who doesn’t follow basketball knows what Kentucky means. When a name, a legacy like that wants you, there’s only one answer yes.”
The Call That Changed Everything
The 6-foot-11 forward from Croatia had already built a solid reputation in Europe, playing for Mega Superbet — a club known for developing NBA-caliber talent. But when Mark Pope and his staff reached out, the decision was almost immediate.
“A lot of colleges wanted to talk to me,” Jelavić said. “But me and my agent, we were on the same page. I told him, ‘I really want Kentucky.’ When Coach Pope called, it took seven or eight minutes. He said, ‘I want you here, but do you want to be here?’ And I said, ‘Yes, I really do.’”
That was it no hesitation, no drama. A short call sealed a life-changing opportunity. But what gave Jelavić the confidence to leap into the unknown was the example set by another Croatian who had already walked the same path.
The Croatian Connection
When Zvonimir Ivišić left Europe to play at Kentucky in 2023, he made waves back home. For young Balkan players dreaming of making it big, seeing “Z” suit up in blue and white was a signal that it could be done and done on the biggest stage in college basketball.
“I started following college basketball and, of course, Kentucky when Z went there,” Jelavić said. “He was the first Balkan player I knew who went to a legendary college like Kentucky. I was in contact with him when he played here, then when he went to Arkansas, and now at Illinois. He’s been helping me and telling me a lot.”
Their friendship didn’t just shape Jelavić’s decision it gave him a roadmap. Ivišić’s rollercoaster season in Lexington from eligibility battles to his electric debut against Georgia showed the resilience and spirit Kentucky demands.
“He always says, ‘Of all the places I’ve been, I liked it most here,’” Jelavić shared. “So when I committed, he sent me a message. It wasn’t even congratulations it was, ‘You’re going to have a great time there.’”
That simple message said everything.
The Warning Every Wildcat Needs
Of course, no Ivišić story is complete without a little humor or food poisoning.
Back in 2023, Coach John Calipari famously joked about Ivišić’s “buzzard’s luck” after he fell ill during the early part of the season. The mystery illness that kept the big man sidelined? According to Jelavić, the culprit wasn’t bad luck it was bad pizza.
“He told me not to eat Papa John’s,” Jelavić laughed. “He said he got really sick in his first two weeks from it. He warned me right away ‘Don’t do that!’”
So, while Kentucky fans may dream of seeing Jelavić devour SEC defenses, don’t expect him to touch a slice in Lexington anytime soon.
💙 A New Chapter in Blue
As the Wildcats gear up for a new era under Mark Pope, stories like this remind fans what makes Kentucky basketball special it’s not just a program, it’s a brotherhood that stretches across continents.
Ivišić may be suiting up for Illinois now, but his influence lives on in Jelavić a fellow countryman chasing the same dream, carrying the same pride, and wearing the same iconic blue.
“He told me I’d love it here,” Jelavić said. “And I already do.”
With his size, skill, and personality, Andrija Jelavić is ready to write his own story in Lexington. And somewhere in Illinois, Zvonimir Ivišić will be watching, smiling and probably making sure his protégé steers clear of the pizza.
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