KSR Today: BBN United Launches, Mark Pope Lands Jelavic, and Big Blue Nation Eyes What’s Next

KSR Today: BBN United Launches, Mark Pope Lands Jelavic, and Big Blue Nation Eyes What’s Next

Good morning, Big Blue Nation. The sun is out, the calendar has officially crossed into mid-August, and the countdown to fall sports in Kentucky is starting to feel very real. The dog days of summer are quickly slipping away  high school football kicks off next week, college football’s “Week Zero” is right around the corner, and then it’s go time: Kentucky vs. Toledo on August 30. From there, the NFL rolls out the following week, and before you know it, Rupp Arena will be rocking for Big Blue Madness in October.

We’re not wishing the days away, but it’s safe to say anticipation is building. And as always, KSR has plenty to keep you locked in until the first whistles blow. Let’s dive into the biggest stories making waves today.

BBN United Goes Live

Kentucky fans often talk about how there’s nothing like the Big Blue Nation  and now there’s an official way to prove it. UK Athletics has launched BBN United, the brand-new membership club designed to bring fans closer to the program than ever before.

Membership tiers start at just $9.99 per month for students, but can climb as high as $249.99 per month for those who want the VIP experience. Annual options range from $99.99 to $2,599.99, offering flexibility for diehards of all levels.

So what do you get? Quite a lot. Lower tiers include behind-the-scenes content, early access to merchandise boxes, ticket sweepstakes, virtual facility tours, and even opportunities to help vote on game-day uniforms. For the fans who go all-in at the higher levels, the rewards get even better  we’re talking Blue-White Game tickets, home event passes, personalized thank-you messages from players, exclusive UK Team Shop discounts, and even virtual meet-and-greets.

If you’ve ever dreamed of having a closer connection to the programs you love, BBN United feels like the next evolution. Think of it as NIL-support meets fandom, and the options are already open.

Jelavic Finally on His Way to Lexington

It’s been the waiting game all summer for Kentucky basketball and Croatian big man Andrija Jelavic, but the wait is finally over. After committing in April and signing in May, Jelavic missed all eight weeks of the team’s summer practice session due to overseas obligations. Fans started to wonder if he would ever arrive.

Now, the 6-foot-11 forward is officially on his way to Lexington this weekend. His agent, Misko Raznatovic, confirmed the news to KSR, and head coach Mark Pope doubled down by telling national reporter Matt Norlander that he expects the freshman on campus by the end of the week.

“We have high, high hopes for him,” Pope said, describing Jelavic as a versatile frontcourt piece who can stretch the floor but also bang inside.

The arrival comes at a perfect time. With UK’s summer practices wrapped up and the fall semester set to begin, Jelavic will now have a few weeks to integrate into the team before preseason intensity ramps up. While he may be behind his fellow freshmen in terms of reps, Pope is optimistic that his European experience and polished skill set will help him make up ground quickly.

The Croatian forward becomes a key depth piece in Kentucky’s new-look frontcourt, and fans will be eager to see if he can carve out early minutes once October practices start.

The NBA Schedule Drops — Kentucky Everywhere

The NBA made headlines this week by releasing its full 2025-26 schedule, and once again, it doubles as a roadmap for Big Blue Nation to keep up with its pro stars. With nearly 30 former Wildcats either on rosters or battling for a spot, it’s almost impossible to keep up with them all  but there are a few marquee highlights to circle now.

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, fresh off winning MVP and leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a championship, headlines the slate. OKC leads the NBA with 34 nationally televised games, a true sign of the team’s rise. And opening night? Circle it: Thunder vs. Rockets, Oct. 21, live on NBC/Peacock. That means Shai and Cason Wallace facing off against Reed Sheppard and Houston’s new young core in what should be must-watch TV.
• Other storylines: Anthony Davis and the Lakers begin their first full season post-Luka Dončić trade, Devin Booker and the Suns enter a prove-it year, and Bam Adebayo’s Heat will try again to climb back into contention. Everywhere you look, there’s a Wildcat making headlines.

If you thought last year’s NBA season was saturated with Kentucky flavor, this one may take it up another notch.

The Bottom Line

It’s a busy Friday across the Big Blue world. With BBN United opening its doors, Mark Pope getting a long-awaited recruit on campus, and the NBA calendar setting up months of Wildcat-heavy storylines, there’s plenty to chew on before we even get to kickoff at Kroger Field.

The wait for fall sports is almost over, but until then, Big Blue Nation has plenty of reasons to stay engaged.