KSR Today: Andrija Jelavić Arrives in Lexington, Mark Stoops Pleased After Scrimmage No. 2, and Recruiting Buzz Heats Up

KSR Today: Andrija Jelavić Arrives in Lexington, Mark Stoops Pleased After Scrimmage No. 2, and Recruiting Buzz Heats Up

Good morning, Big Blue Nation! The countdown to the fall semester and the upcoming seasons for both Kentucky basketball and football  just got a whole lot more exciting.

After months of anticipation, the final piece of Kentucky men’s basketball’s 2025-26 roster is finally here.

Andrija Jelavić Has Landed

On Saturday, Croatian stretch forward Andrija Jelavić made his long-awaited arrival to the Bluegrass. Fans spotted him sitting courtside at the Cincinnati Open alongside Kentucky head coach Mark Pope, confirming that the 21-year-old has cleared every hurdle to become fully eligible.

It’s been a winding journey to get Jelavić in Lexington, but the payoff could be worth the wait. At 6-foot-9 with professional experience in Europe, Jelavić brings a unique combination of size, skill, and maturity. Having played two seasons with Mega Superbet in the Adriatic League, he’s expected to provide immediate depth and shooting in Kentucky’s frontcourt  particularly valuable with Jayden Quaintance still rehabbing his ACL and Brandon Garrison developing into a larger role.

Fans will have to wait just a little longer to see him officially mesh with the team. Coach Pope sent the Wildcats off on a two-week summer break beginning August 7. Players return August 21, classes begin August 25, and then all eyes shift toward September when practices kick into full swing. For now, the excitement around Jelavić’s arrival is undeniable  the last puzzle piece has been placed.

Kentucky Target Steals the Show at Curry Camp

While Pope was finalizing his roster, the Wildcats’ recruiting pipeline made noise on the West Coast.

Deron Rippey Jr., a 6-foot-2 point guard ranked No. 12 overall in the 2026 class, was named MVP of the prestigious Curry Camp this week in California. None other than Steph Curry himself handed Rippey the trophy, a moment that instantly elevated his stock even higher.

Kentucky freshman Kam Williams was also at the camp, training with Curry and keeping tabs on Rippey. That connection can only help Pope’s pursuit.

The Wildcats have been aggressive in targeting Rippey, but the competition is fierce. Here’s a look at his upcoming official visits  and it reads like a who’s who of college basketball blue bloods:

• Miami (Aug. 27–29)
• North Carolina (Aug. 31–Sept. 2)
• Alabama (Sept. 12–14)
• Texas (Sept. 19–21)
• Syracuse (Sept. 26–28)
• Kentucky (Oct. 3–5)
• Indiana (Oct. 17–19)
• Duke (Oct. 21–23)
• Tennessee (Oct. 25–26)
• Kansas (Nov. 1–3)
• NC State (Nov. 7–9)

It’s clear Pope is going head-to-head with the nation’s elite for Rippey. With the way his stock has risen this summer, landing him would be another recruiting statement for the second-year head coach.

Football: Stoops Happy After Scrimmage No. 2

Over on the gridiron, Mark Stoops and Kentucky football wrapped up their second scrimmage of fall camp — and the head coach had a smile on his face.

Reports out of camp suggest the Wildcats showed marked improvement from the first scrimmage. The defense continues to look stout, but Stoops was especially encouraged by offensive execution and quarterback play. With the season opener fast approaching, competition is heating up at several positions, and the staff is starting to see separation.

Kentucky’s balance on both sides of the ball could make this one of Stoops’ most intriguing squads in years.

Big Ten Floating a Massive Playoff Expansion

Finally, on the national stage, the Big Ten is reportedly pushing for an expanded College Football Playoff format — potentially as large as 24 or even 28 teams.

The proposed setup, according to Ross Dellenger, would include:

• 7 automatic qualifiers for the SEC and Big Ten combined
• 5 for the ACC and Big 12
• 2 for the Group of 6
• 2 at-large bids

The move would likely eliminate conference championship games. While talks are still in the early stages, the concept already has many fans raising their eyebrows. If the 12-team playoff is controversial, a 28-team bracket feels downright chaotic.

For now, it’s nothing more than boardroom brainstorming, but college football fans are bracing for what could be another massive shift in the sport’s postseason landscape.

The Bottom Line

Kentucky basketball got its long-awaited roster completion with Andrija Jelavić officially in Lexington, recruiting buzz is surging with Deron Rippey Jr. shining on the national stage, and Mark Stoops’ Wildcats are finding their stride on the gridiron.

Big Blue Nation, the seasons are almost here  and the anticipation has never been higher.