Kentucky forward Andrija Jelavic ruled eligible by NCAA

The NCAA has ruled Kentucky forward Andrija Jelavic eligible to play in the 2025-26 season, per Kentucky Sports Radio’s Matt Jones. Jelavic committed to Kentucky this offseason after playing for Mega SuperBet in the Adriatic League.

Jelavic averaged 11.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game for Mega SuperBet. Jelavic also previously played for OKK Beograd, KK Mega Leks U18 and KK Cedevita Olimpija Junior.

The 6-foot-11 talent is from Croatia. At the 2022 U18 Euro Championships, Jelavic averaged 11.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game in seven contests.

Jelavic arrived on UK’s campus in mid-August. While Jelavic missed out on Kentucky’s summer practices, he reportedly meshed with the team quickly.

“He’s fit right in from the team retreat to practices. And he’s very talented. He’s a very talented player,” Kentucky assistant Alvin Brooks III told KSR. “For his size, he can do some things that a lot of people his size can’t do. Obviously, he’s just one week in, so now he has to do it another week and another week and another week. But he has a lot of talent to work with.”

Kentucky fans will be overjoyed to hear about Jelavic’s eligibility with nearly a month until the regular season begins. In the 2023-24 season, Kentucky struggled to gain eligibility for another Croatian big man, Zvonimir Ivsic.

Ivisic ultimately missed Kentucky’s first 16 games of the season. Jelavic won’t face the same issues. Jelavic will join returning contributor Brandon Garrison and four-star freshman Malachi Moreno in Kentucky’s front court.

Jelavic should provide the Wildcats with more 3-point shooting prowess than either of their other two bigs. With Amari Williams starting at center for Kentucky last season, opposing bigs could sit back and clog the paint.

With Andrija Jelavic on the court, Kentucky’s opponents will be forced to step out and defend the European standout. Kentucky head coach Mark Pope is excited for Jelavic to shine this season.

“I expect him to come and have a great impact,” Pope said “… He’s a vet. He’s been playing against grown men, so he should bring a lot. I think he’s a really good young man who’s been dreaming about this opportunity for a long time. I expect him to come here and have an immediate impact.”

Kentucky will kick off its regular season with a showdown against Nicholls State on Nov. 4. Alas, Kentucky will have preseason exhibitions against Purdue and Georgetown in late October.