Big Blue Nation can finally exhale—the wait is over. The last piece of Kentucky’s highly anticipated 2025-26 men’s basketball roster puzzle has officially fallen into place. Over the weekend, Croatian standout Andrija Jelavić arrived on campus, joining head coach Mark Pope’s Wildcats and signaling that the roster is now fully assembled for a season loaded with expectations.
Jelavić’s arrival marks the end of a long journey that began back in April when he committed to Kentucky on April 12th. However, getting the 6-foot-10 forward to Lexington required patience as paperwork and international logistics delayed his move. The 21-year-old landed in the U.S. on Saturday, August 16th, just as Pope had projected in early August. Jelavić wasted no time introducing himself to Big Blue Nation, posting a welcome video on Kentucky’s official social media accounts with a clear mission:
“Hello, BBN. I’m Andrija Jelavić. I’m here on campus. I’m excited to get to work, to meet you all. And I’m excited to get number nine.”
That reference to “number nine” is a rallying cry for the Wildcats, who are chasing their ninth NCAA National Championship this season.
A native of Zagreb, Croatia, Jelavić brings a wealth of international experience to Lexington. He most recently competed for Mega Superbet in the Adriatic League, averaging 11 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1 steal per game against professional-level competition. His resume also includes stints with OKK Beograd, KK Mega Leks U18, and KK Cedevita Olimpija Junior, along with representing Croatia at the 2022 U18 European Championships.
Coach Mark Pope has been vocal about Jelavić’s potential impact, praising both his skill set and mentality:
“He’s a vet. He’s been playing against grown men, so he should bring a lot. He’s been dreaming about this opportunity for a long time, and I expect him to come in and have an immediate impact,” Pope said last month.
Although Jelavić missed Kentucky’s eight weeks of summer workouts, his addition ensures that the Wildcats are finally at full strength as they head into year two under Pope. With one of the most talented and versatile rosters in college basketball, expectations in Lexington are sky-high—and Jelavić’s arrival only adds fuel to the fire.
Big Blue Nation, the roster is complete. The countdown to banner number nine is officially on.
