Andrija Jelavić is in the midst of a postseason run with Mega Superbet

Before Andrija Jelavić makes his way to the United States, he has some business to take care of overseas.

Playing for Mega Superbet in the Adriatic League (ABA League), Jelavić is one game into his postseason run. Unfortunately, his team lost the first game of a three-game series, falling to Budućnost VOLI on Sunday by a final score of 96-80. The 6-foot-11 future Kentucky Wildcat finished with eight points (3-8 FG), five rebounds, and two assists in 27 minutes of action.

Now facing a 1-0 hole in the quarterfinals, Jelavić and company will look to bounce back and avoid elimination on Friday. Through 28 games this season, the Croatian native has averaged 10.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and one steal in 27.3 minutes per outing. He’s shooting 49.1 percent from the field, 30.9 percent from deep, and 69.1 percent from the free throw line.

If Mega Superbet can find a way to win this series, they’ll move on to the semifinals (also a three-game series), which begins on May 23. The championship round (a five-game series) begins on June 6. Most of Kentucky’s roster for the 2025-26 season expects to arrive on campus in early to mid-June. How far his team goes in the playoffs could impact Jelavić’s arrival in Lexington.

Jelavić, who turns 21 years old later this month and possesses a 7-foot-2 wingspan, looks to be a perfect fit for Mark Pope’s system. He can shoot from deep, but is also quick and agile with the ball on the perimeter for someone his size. That quickness, combined with plenty of length, also makes him a plus-defender.

“Andrija is a really skilled, athletic, mobile, veteran player who has been playing at a high level for the last two years,” Pope said in UK’s press release announcing Jelavić as a Wildcat. “He’s been mentored through the development program at Mega, which is one of the best development centers for great players in Europe. Andrija has a really unique combination of size, athleticism and skill that will translate seamlessly into our system.

With multiple years under his belt playing against professionals in a respected international league, Jelavić could come straight to Kentucky with a high-usage role. On Monday, Adam Finklestein of 247Sports labeled Jelavić as one of his top 10 international prospects playing college basketball in 2025-26.

There’s plenty of reason to be excited about the skilled international big man.

[KSR Film Room: Andrija Jelavic]