How Zvonimir Ivisic helped Andrija Jelavic prepare for life at Kentucky

For Andrija Jelavic, his decision to sign with Kentucky was an easy one. In fact, it was the only one he could have made, not even taking other offers and interest seriously. As the story goes, Mark Pope saw him dominate one game and word got back to the 6-11 forward from Croatia that the Wildcats wanted to talk.

He was ready to listen — and potentially move forward with a commitment, if the opportunity was truly on the table.

“When you’re in Europe, you know college basketball, but you’re not 100 percent in it. But even someone who doesn’t follow basketball knows a college like Kentucky,” Jelavic told KSR at UK Media Day. “When Coach (Pope) calls you personally and when a name, a legacy like Kentucky wants you, it’s just a no-brainer for me.”

The former Mega Superbet standout was plenty familiar with Kentucky’s tradition as the winningest program in history — “a lot of players being drafted, a lot of stars, the eight championships,” he said — but it was Pope’s pitch regarding role and his vision for the skilled forward that separated the Wildcats as the only real contender for his services.

All he had to hear was that he was wanted.

“Honestly, a lot of colleges wanted to talk to me, but me and my agent, we were on the same page. We said, ‘I mean, Kentucky is Kentucky.’ I said to him, ‘I really want Kentucky.’ When Mark Pope called me, we were on the same page from the first second. He said, ‘Look, you really suit our style of play. I want you here, but do you want to be here?’ I’m like, ‘Yes, I really want to commit to you.’ He just said, ‘Well, tell your agent that,’ and I did.

“It was really a seven- or eight-minute simple call.”

What if I told you, though, an old friend helped steer Jelavic to Kentucky — or at least painted the picture he wanted to see for his own journey in college basketball? Assist to Zvonimir Ivisic, who suited up for the Wildcats in 2023-24 as a fan-favorite in Lexington.

When a move to the United States first came on his radar, Jelavic watched Ivisic closely, taking in the highs and lows from afar as the first Croatian player he knew suiting up for a big-time blue blood. Part of why he knew of the program’s rich history was because the 7-2 forward was once a part of it.

They’ve been in contact every step of the way, including now that Jelavic is beginning his career in blue and white.

“I started following college basketball really — and, of course, Kentucky — when Z went to college,” he told KSR. “I mean, he was like the first Balkan, European player who went to a really legendary college like Kentucky. And it was a big deal when he did. I was in contact with him when he was playing here, then I was in contact with him when he was playing for Arkansas, and now (at Illinois).

“A lot of people know him, he’s been helping me and he’s been telling me.”

Ivisic’s time at Kentucky was fascinating, for lack of a better term. Eligibility issues delayed his arrival and on-court debut, which ended up being one we’ll all remember for a long, long time, scoring 13 points — including a 3-3 start from three — in 16 minutes against Georgia. From the billboard to checking in for the first time at Rupp Arena to the highlight plays to his lovable, goofy demeanor, he never turned those flashes into consistent production, but there was never a dull moment.

Little did we know two years later, now entering his junior season at Illinois after a pit stop at Arkansas with Coach Cal, Kentucky will always hold a special place in his heart. In fact, it’s his favorite of the three schools he’s attended, and he relayed that message to Jelavic following his commitment to Pope.

“He always has a lot of love here. He always says, ‘Of all the places, I like it most here.’ So, instantly, when I committed, he sent me a message,” Jelavic said of his talks with Ivisic. “It wasn’t a congratulations or anything, it was just, ‘You will have a great time there.'”

Oh, but one quick word of advice: be careful with the food.

It took forever to get Ivisic cleared, but even before that, he battled injury and illness, keeping him off the floor from even warming up with his teammates so fans could see him until the NCAA made a final decision on his status. Remember his “buzzard’s luck,” as John Calipari called it?

“He got food positioning. ‘Where is he?’ ‘He got sick.’ The doctor told him to go back to the lodge,” he said back in November 2023.

Now, the secret is out, shared by Jelavic. It was thought to be chicken wings that took Ivisic out of commission way back when, but apparently, it was actually bad pizza. He warned the newest Wildcat to avoid it at all costs, if possible.

Needless to say, Papa will not be in this Croatian forward’s house.

“I mean, the one thing I knew about him is that he killed himself with the Papa John’s pizza the first two weeks,” he told KSR. “The first two weeks, he was really sick. So he said, ‘Don’t do that.’ He didn’t give me any other warnings.”