Two weeks in Lexington, and Andrija Jelavić looks like he’s been there all summer. The 6-foot-11 Croatian forward has fit in so naturally with the Wildcats that associate head coach Alvin Brooks III says you’d never know he just arrived from Europe.
How Has Andrija Jelavić Adjusted to Kentucky Basketball?
Brooks shared his observations during an interview on the “KSR podcast” about the Croatian’s early days in Lexington. The assistant coach praised how quickly Jelavić has connected with his new teammates and settled into the program’s culture.
When asked about getting the forward integrated with the team, Brooks was impressed by what he’s witnessed so far. “We have some unbelievable guys because you cannot tell that he hasn’t been here,” Brooks said. “Like he’s fit in already. It feels like he was here the previous eight weeks. And so he’s fit right in from the team retreat to practices.”
The Croatian commit arrived in Lexington after spending recent seasons with Mega Superbet in Belgrade’s ABA League. His professional background includes averaging 11 points and 7.4 rebounds while competing against seasoned pros in one of Europe’s premier developmental leagues.
Brooks highlighted Jelavić’s unique skill set for his size. The assistant coach noted abilities that separate the Zagreb native from typical big men at the college level.
“He’s very talented. He’s a very talented player. And so for his size, he could do some things that a lot of people his size can’t do,” Brooks explained. “Obviously, he’s just one week. And 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.”
What Role Will Jelavić Play in Kentucky’s System?
Jelavić represents a different addition for coach Mark Pope’s Kentucky program. Unlike the transfers who have filled most roster spots, the Croatian forward comes as a traditional recruit who brings professional experience from Europe’s competitive leagues.
Early projections have Jelavić as a rotation player who could work his way into the starting lineup as the season progresses. His success will depend largely on how quickly he adapts to the pace and physicality of American college basketball, something that has challenged other international prospects making the transition.
The 6-foot-11 forward offers Pope something different from his returning big men. While players like Brandon Garrison provide interior presence, Jelavić can stretch the floor with his shooting while also handling the ball in transition situations that define Pope’s up-tempo system.
The timing of his arrival should work in everyone’s favor. With official practices beginning later this month, Jelavić’s years playing professionally in Europe should help him adjust to college basketball faster than most international freshmen who come straight from prep programs.
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Brooks’ early assessment suggests Kentucky may have found a player ready to contribute immediately. Whether that means competing for a starting role or providing quality minutes off the bench behind established players like Mo Dioubate remains to be seen, but the early signs point to a smooth transition.
The assistant coach’s reports paint the picture of a player who has adapted quickly to his new environment. With official practices starting soon, Jelavić appears ready to make his mark in Lexington sooner than many expected when he first committed to the Wildcats.