Mark Pope isn’t one to throw around praise lightly. The newly appointed Kentucky men’s basketball coach—tasked with restoring the legacy of one of college basketball’s most storied programs—has made it abundantly clear that he values toughness, leadership, and work ethic over hype. So when Pope spoke glowingly about incoming freshman Andrija Jelavić, calling him “one of the most impactful young players I’ve ever coached,” the basketball world took notice.
Jelavić, a 6-foot-10 forward from Croatia, might not have the same national name recognition as some of the top-ranked American recruits, but that hasn’t stopped Pope from putting his full support behind the international phenom. Pope’s bold declaration isn’t just a recruiting pitch or an attempt to build early hype—it’s a genuine belief that Jelavić has the skill set, maturity, and drive to become a game-changer in Lexington. In fact, Pope said that Jelavić reminds him of the kind of European players who come in under the radar, develop quickly, and turn into NBA stars before anyone outside the coaching world realizes how good they are.
What stands out immediately about Jelavić is his basketball IQ. Having developed in the structured, fundamentally driven European system, he brings a different kind of understanding to the game—one that Pope believes will translate immediately to the SEC. He doesn’t chase highlight-reel plays, he makes winning plays. He knows when to pick and pop, when to roll, when to slip screens, and perhaps more importantly, he sees passing lanes before they open. According to Pope, that vision and discipline are exactly what Kentucky needs as it embarks on a new era after the John Calipari years.
While Jelavić’s offensive versatility is what has fans excited—his ability to stretch the floor with a smooth shooting stroke, handle the ball in transition, and create off the dribble—it’s his competitiveness and resilience that Pope believes will define his freshman season. This isn’t a kid who’s afraid of the moment. Jelavić has played against grown men overseas, and he’s had to scrap for everything. There’s no sense of entitlement in his game. Every possession matters to him, and Pope said that’s exactly the culture he’s trying to build in Lexington: one rooted in effort, pride, and accountability.
Pope’s statement about Jelavić wasn’t just complimentary—it was emphatic. He noted that Jelavić is the kind of player who changes the temperature of a practice, who pushes everyone around him to be better. “He’s not loud,” Pope said. “He doesn’t need to be. He leads by example, by intensity, by the way he prepares.” That kind of leadership is rare in a freshman, and even rarer in someone adapting to a completely new culture and language. But those who’ve spent time around Jelavić say he’s already emerged as one of the hardest workers on the team.
Behind the scenes, Jelavić has earned the respect of strength coaches, teammates, and assistants for his discipline. He’s reportedly the first to arrive at the gym and the last to leave, constantly asking for film to study or reps to run. There’s a humility to him that Pope believes will endear him to the fanbase quickly. He doesn’t act like someone with pro potential—though many scouts believe he’ll have a future in the NBA. Instead, he acts like someone trying to earn a spot, trying to prove he belongs, which Pope says is exactly the kind of mindset he wants in his locker room.
What makes Pope’s praise all the more striking is that he’s not just comparing Jelavić to incoming freshmen or international players—he’s saying that Jelavić might be one of the most impactful players he’s ever had the chance to work with. That includes players Pope coached at BYU and Utah Valley who have gone on to professional careers. It’s a testament not just to Jelavić’s skill, but to the way he approaches the game. “He doesn’t waste a second,” Pope said. “Everything he does has purpose.”
Jelavić’s ability to adapt is another key reason Pope is so high on him. Moving from Croatia to the United States, adjusting to the speed and athleticism of college basketball, and learning new terminology can overwhelm many international prospects. But Jelavić has embraced the challenge. He’s thrown himself into learning the playbook, into communicating with teammates, and into becoming a sponge for everything around him. That eagerness to grow is what makes him such an intriguing player, not just for Kentucky, but for the long-term future of the program.
Kentucky fans are known for their high expectations, and while Pope is asking for patience as he builds a new identity in Lexington, it’s clear that Jelavić will be a foundational piece. He may not put up 20 points a night as a freshman, but Pope believes he’ll contribute in ways that go beyond the box score. Whether it’s contesting shots, making the right rotation, setting the perfect screen, or grabbing a tough rebound, Jelavić’s fingerprints will be all over Kentucky’s success.
Recruiting internationally has always been a bit of a gamble in college basketball, especially at high-profile programs where the pressure to win immediately can be suffocating. But Pope is betting big on Jelavić, and he’s doing so because he believes in more than just talent—he believes in makeup. Jelavić has the demeanor of a seasoned veteran, the work ethic of a walk-on fighting for minutes, and the ceiling of a future NBA pro. That’s a rare combination, and it’s why Pope is putting so much faith in him this early.
There’s also the matter of team fit. With the transfer portal reshaping college basketball, and programs often relying on veteran players with multiple years of experience, it’s easy for freshmen—especially international ones—to get lost in the shuffle. But Pope is building his Kentucky team with an eye toward balance. He wants maturity and readiness, yes, but he also wants upside. Jelavić provides both. He gives Pope a stretch-big who can shoot threes, defend multiple positions, and serve as a connector on offense. That kind of player doesn’t just fit in; he elevates everyone around him.
Even among his teammates, Jelavić is starting to turn heads. One returning player reportedly called him “the most skilled big man I’ve seen come through here in a while.” Others have pointed to his calmness under pressure and his willingness to defer to veterans as signs of maturity that belie his age. It’s those little things—eye contact during huddles, clapping for teammates, diving for loose balls—that make him so respected. Pope has said that Jelavić doesn’t try to dominate the spotlight but always finds a way to impact the game.
The excitement surrounding Jelavić also reflects Pope’s broader vision for Kentucky. This isn’t just about reloading with high-profile names. It’s about finding players who embody toughness, togetherness, and a love for the game. It’s about chemistry. Pope has talked at length about changing the perception of Kentucky basketball—about moving away from the one-and-done model and toward something more sustainable. Players like Jelavić are central to that transformation.
There’s a reason Pope’s words about Jelavić made waves across college basketball. In a world where hyperbole is common and praise is often exaggerated, Pope’s tone was different. It was measured, deliberate, and filled with conviction. This wasn’t a coach hyping up a recruit to please a fanbase. This was a coach who saw something special and couldn’t hold it in.
And the truth is, Pope may be right. Jelavić might not win Freshman of the Year or lead the SEC in scoring, but he might just be the piece that brings Kentucky back to the forefront of college basketball. He might be the embodiment of Pope’s new era—a player who values substance over flash, who lets his game do the talking, and who plays for the name on the front of the jersey rather than the one on the back.
In a few months, when the season tips off and Jelavić takes the floor in Rupp Arena for the first time, Kentucky fans will see firsthand what Pope already knows: that this unassuming, hard-working, smart, and supremely skilled forward from Croatia is ready for the big stage. He won’t need an introduction. His game will speak volumes. And if Pope’s prediction holds true, Andrija Jelavić won’t just be another name on the roster—he’ll be a legacy in the making.