Film Room: Andrija Jelavic

Big Blue Nation had been clamoring for a skilled 4-man. When healthy, Andrew Carr filled that role very well this past season. However, after Robert Morris transfer Alvaro Folgueiras started to focus elsewhere, it was unknown how Kentucky would fill that position. Was it going to be left up to Mouhamed Dioubate and Kam Williams to play the small ball 4-spot? Was Coach Pope going to experiment with “twin towers” lineups featuring Brandon Garrison at the “4” and Jayden Quaintance at the “5?” Those questions didn’t linger long though as fans were introduced to surprise commitment Andrija Jelavic. A 6’11” 220 pound forward from Croatia with a wide array of perimeter skills, Jelavic appears to be built in a lab to play the 4-spot in Coach Pope’s offense.

Playing with KK Mega Bemax in the Adriatic League, Jelavic will bring legitimate professional experience to the Wildcats’ roster. Former KK Mega Bemax players include NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, veteran Ivica Zubac, and former 18th overall pick Goga Bitadze. Overall, there have been 15 NBA Draft picks come from the team in the last decade. In terms of worldwide context, the Adriatic League is considered a Top 8-12 professional league in the world. Jelavic comes to Kentucky having averaged 10.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.8 blocks per game over the last two seasons combined. In 50 games he has connected on 49-161 (30.4%) three-point shots as well. The 6’11” forward will turn 21 years old on May 26th giving the Wildcats a veteran presence in the front court.

When watching film, it is Jelavic’s athleticism that pops first and foremost. The transition athletically to the Southeastern Conference will not be an issue for him. He runs the floor like a gazelle, is fluid laterally, and has some explosiveness vertically. In terms of his skill, he is comfortable handling the ball in the open floor and will certainly fit into what Kentucky likes to do with their front court players on the perimeter. Jelavic will make open three-point shots, but he is at his best right now utilizing his athleticism to score. In a lot of ways he has the skill level of Andrew Carr combined with the athleticism of Grant Nelson. That should create a player that Kentucky fans are really, really excited about. Let’s step inside the KSR Film Room and take a closer look at Andrija Jelavic.

Rim-Running and Cutting

The Kentucky Wildcats could feature the best rim-running front court in the country next season. We’ve already seen Brandon Garrison’s skills during his sophomore season in Lexington. Jayden Quaintance has similar abilities as a rim-runner. Then, there is Andrija Jelavic. Athletically, he is even ahead of both Garrison and Quaintance. He is the quickest end-to-end and probably the most comfortable with the ball in his hands as well. Having all three of those guys stretching the defense in transition will be huge for Kentucky’s offense. Meanwhile, so much of what the ‘Cats get done in the half court is built around cutting. Jelavic is a proven high-IQ cutter. Once again, his fluid athleticism helps him stand out in this realm. These are two areas where he should be able to help the Wildcats right away.

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With Jaland Lowe at point guard it is very possible Kentucky plays even fast in 2025-2026. The ‘Cats finished 30th in KenPom’s adjusted tempo metric this past season, but Lowe will unlock a new top speed. Andrija Jelavic is the perfect big man to pair with him in transition. He runs the floor so fluidly, can attack off of one or two dribbles from the throw ahead, and is athletic enough to catch and finish on the run. Jelavic will be the beneficiary of his rim-running ability as a Wildcat.

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Being a good cutter is quite possibly the most useful skill in Coach Pope’s offense. There is so much open space to cut into. Additionally, with the consistent ball movement and player movement on the perimeter, it is easy to catch the defense sleeping. That is exactly what Jelavic does in this clip. He reads his defender perfectly and cuts into the open space as soon as he commits to the closeout. Jelavic sees the defender’s head turn and flashes to the paint for a dunk. Whether he is slipping a ballscreen or Zoom Action for a layup, back cutting from the perimeter, or simply finding the soft spot in the defense there will be points to be scored by Jelavic on the cut next season.

Ability to Stretch the Floor

This is where Andrija Jelavic’s upside really lies. If he can become a consistent three-point shooter not only will it take Kentucky to another level, but he will likely turn into a NBA Draft pick. He certainly is not bad in that realm already. The 6’11” forward shot 49-161 (30.4%) over the course of 50 games in the Adriatic League the last two seasons. He was 22-67 (32.8%) from deep last year showing some improvement from year one. Jelavic has smooth form and excellent footwork on the perimeter. There is no reason that he can’t be a guy that makes 40 three-point shots at a 35% clip next season.

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We talk all of the time in these film breakdowns about the value of evaluating transfer portal film versus high school film. That is obviously true when watching Andrija Jelavic with KK Mega Bemax as well. The way he scored in a Top 10 basketball league in the world is exactly how he will score in a Kentucky uniform. In this clip you see his team run a Spain ballscreen with Jelavic spaced out in the corner. This is perfectly translatable to how he will make three-point shots as a Wildcat. His ability to space the floor as a catch-and-shoot threat at the 4-spot will be incredibly valuable in Coach Pope’s offense.

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Kentucky’s front court versatility will really unlock some special offense next season. Having a 6’11” forward that can lift up along the wing behind a side ballscreen-and-roll makes you almost impossible to guard. Again, this is perfectly translatable to Kentucky. Imagine Brandon Garrison setting the ballscreen for Jaland Lowe. Lowe will generally attract the attention of two defenders in the pick-and-roll. Then, if you don’t tag on Garrison’s roll there will be a lob thrown. However, if you do tag, it leaves Jelavic wide open as he slides up the three-point line on the backside. These are the type of three-point shots he will make at a high percentage next season.

Interior Scoring

The athleticism pops on film right away. Meanwhile, the upside as a pick-and-pop threat unlocks a really exciting ceiling for Andrija Jelavic. However, it is what he brings from day one as a finisher on the roll and scorer in the paint that establishes his floor. Coming from the Adriatic League, Jelavic won’t have a massive learning curve when it comes to the physicality of the Southeastern Conference. The 21-year old has multiple years of professional experience to get him ready. Around the basket is where his athleticism really stands out the most as well. When matchup up with other forwards and centers he simply is too quick and agile. Look for Jelavic to have a lot of success as the pick-and-roll roll man from the moment he puts on a blue and white jersey.

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It is easy to get wrapped up in what Jelavic can bring athletically or as a floor spacer. However, he is most advanced right now when it comes to scoring in the paint. Here he displays good patience when catching the ball off of the block. The 6’11” forward methodically uses five crab dribbles to eventually get from a face-up position all of the way to the middle. Then, he elevates and scores with a right-handed hook shot over his left shoulder. Jelavic should have success facing up and then turning a quick drive into a post move.

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This is where Jelavic can really utilize his mobility and athleticism. He ends up sort of slipping out of this ballscreen just a split second early. With his foot speed, Jelavic is able to quickly get lower than his defender and get a catch on the roll that he finishes with a dunk. His quickness and agility in ballscreens situations will be a lot for opponents to handle.

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Andrija Jelavic won’t be shocked the first time he goes up against SEC-level physicality and athleticism. While he isn’t a massive, hulking presence he has shown the willingness to play with some toughness in the Adriatic League against other grown men. He sets a good, hard ballscreen in this clip which ultimately is what gets him open on the roll. This is a good, athletic finish on the other side of the rim as well. Jelavic’s ability, at 6’11”, to consistently catch passes on the move and fluidly finish will make him an excellent threat on the roll for the Wildcats.

Andrija Jelavic Evaluation

Kentucky got their skilled 4-man. In many ways, Andrija Jelavic was constructed in a laboratory to play the forward spot for Coach Pope. He has the requisite size for Southeastern Conference play at 6’11” and 220 pounds. However, it is his athleticism that is the most intriguing. Jelavic runs the floor smoothly, moves laterally fluidly, and has an explosive pop vertically. Kentucky will be able to utilize that athleticism in transition, on the roll, and as an off-ball cutter right away. Then, where Jelavic’s upside gets exciting, is when you factor in his ability as a pick-and-pop threat. If Jelavic can come in and help to stretch the floor he will immediately be a vital part of this offense. Jelavic has legitimate upside as an All-SEC performer and NBA Draft Pick. His transition into Kentucky’s offensive system should be rather seamless.