Why Andrija Jelavic Hasn’t Joined the Kentucky Basketball Team Yet, Here’s the reason

As Kentucky men’s basketball progresses through its summer training, one notable newcomer, Andrija Jelavic, has yet to arrive on campus. Despite fan speculation, there’s no serious concern within the program regarding his delay.

During a press conference held Monday, head coach Mark Pope shared an optimistic update on Jelavic’s status. “We’ve received his transcripts — he’s completed his coursework, which is great,” Pope said. “That part of the process is behind us. Now we’re moving through the remaining steps. I wish he could be here tomorrow, but we’re not quite there yet.”

Jelavic is expected to be in Lexington in the near future. The 6-foot-11 forward from Croatia, known for his 7-foot-2 wingspan and perimeter skills, is considered a strong fit for Pope’s offensive system. He played professionally in the Adriatic League for a Serbian club, averaging 11 points and 7.4 rebounds last season while shooting 32.1% from beyond the arc.

Though his absence has sparked comparisons to past delays involving international players — most notably Enes Kanter in 2010 and Zvonimir Ivisic in 2023 — school officials have made it clear that Jelavic’s case is much more straightforward. Unlike Kanter, who was ruled ineligible due to prior compensation, and Ivisic, whose arrival was delayed by admissions and NCAA issues, Jelavic is not expected to face similar obstacles.

The reason for Jelavic’s late arrival is academic. While his basketball season ended in mid-May, his schoolwork continued into late June, well after Kentucky’s summer practice had begun. Although UK had received preliminary eligibility confirmation, they couldn’t finalize his enrollment until official academic documents were submitted — a process that follows standard NCAA procedure.

Due to his late academic finish, Jelavic missed the opportunity to join UK’s summer session or participate in team practices, which are currently nearing the end of their eight-week schedule. First-time international student-athletes must also be enrolled to take part in such activities, another reason the team chose not to expedite his arrival.

Once Jelavic gets to Lexington, he will undergo routine medical exams and likely follow a short adjustment period before participating fully in workouts. Given this timeline, he’s expected to be on campus in early August — ahead of fall classes beginning on August 25.

Importantly, there are no red flags surrounding his amateur status, which was a significant factor in the prolonged delay for Ivisic. Pope remains confident in Jelavic’s potential impact on the 2025–26 team. “He’s played against grown men. He’s a veteran in that sense,” Pope said. “He’s a high-character kid who’s been dreaming about this opportunity. I expect him to contribute right away.”