Serbian Basketball Star Andrija Jelavic Commits to Kentucky, Reflects Growing International Influence in NCAA
April 12, 2025
In addition to Jelavic, Kentucky has bolstered its roster with several transfer players, including Jayden Quaintance from Arizona State, Jaland Lowe from Pitt, Mouhamed Dioubate from Alabama, and Kam Williams from Tulane, alongside freshmen Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno.
The Wildcats are also in the mix for Nate Ament, a highly ranked uncommitted high school senior projected as a top-five pick in the 2026 NBA draft, competing against strong programs like Tennessee and Duke.
Andrija Jelavic, a highly regarded European basketball prospect, has officially committed to the University of Kentucky for the class of 2025, as confirmed by his agent, Misko Raznatovic.
Standing at 6-foot-11, Jelavic hails from Serbia and is set to turn 21 in May 2025; he has showcased his skills in the Adriatic League, averaging 10.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game over 53 appearances for Mega Superbet.
Notably, he possesses a remarkable 7'2 wingspan and is recognized for his impressive mobility and versatility, having successfully made 52 three-pointers in the past two seasons while shooting an impressive 62% on two-point attempts.
Jelavic's commitment is indicative of a broader trend in college basketball recruiting, particularly influenced by the emergence of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals that allow international players to secure lucrative contracts.
This recruitment cycle has seen other notable international players making commitments, such as Sananda Fru to Louisville, David Mirkovic to Illinois, and Dominykas Pleta to Iowa State, highlighting a growing trend in NCAA basketball.
Summary based on 1 source
Get a daily email with more NCAA Basketball stories
Source

ESPN • Apr 12, 2025
PF Andrija Jelavic, a top European prospect, commits to Kentucky - ESPN