Kentucky played Andrija Jelavic's Serbian team not that long ago

When Kentucky landed a surprise boom from Andrija Jelavic, a Croatian big man currently playing for KK Mega Bemax in the Serbian National League, I knew I had seen those hideously beautiful pink uniforms somewhere before. The Wildcats played against KK Mega Bemax in a Bahamas exhibition game back in the summer of 2018.

Led by further pros PJ Washington (20 points, 12 rebounds), Keldon Johnson (16 points), Tyler Herro (16 points), Nick Richards (15 points), and Immanuel Quickley (12 points), Kentucky put a beatdown on the team that was supposed to be its toughest competition of the Bahamian vacation, 100-64, in an Atlantis Resort ballroom.

Like most exhibition games, all eyes were on the ‘Cats, but there was one player for Mega Bemax that stood out. Stefan Fundic, a very large, fun-looking guy with an even more fun name, played like a grown man, posting 14 points, 12 rebounds, and seven personal fouls. There was just something about watching a man of his size wearing a jersey that pink that was hard not to like. He projected shades of Mega Bemax’s most famous alum, Nikola Jokic.

Fundic was such a standout that Drew Franklin found him in the hotel later and begged him for his jersey. Confused as to why this random Kentucky guy would want his jersey, Fundic declined Drew’s request, claiming it was his only one. He did agree to a picture and corrected Drew on the pronunciation of his name. Turns out it is Foon-ditch, not Fun-dick.

If Andrija Jelavic is anything like Fundic (or Jokic, for that matter), Kentucky has landed a legend in the making. Check out highlights from that epic event. I’m somewhere in the crowd, holding an overpriced beer.