We’ve got a BOOM to report for the Kentucky Wildcats, and it’s an unexpected one.

According to ESPN’s Jonathan Giovny, Kentucky has landed a commitment from Croatian big man Andrija Jelavic. Giovny adds that The Mega MIS big man is one of the most highly-touted European prospects set to play college basketball next season.

Playing in the AdmiralBet ABA League, Jelavic averaged 10.8 points on 50.3% shooting (32.3% on 2.8 3-point attempts per game), 7.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 27.4 minutes per game this past season.

In the 2023-24 campaign, Jelavic averaged 10.3 points on 47.1% shooting (28.7% on 3.6 3-point attempts per game), 7.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 31.7 minutes per game.

Jelavic’s best stretch came in the playoffs that same season. He averaged 13.8 points on 70.4% shooting (44.4% on 2.3 3-point attempts per game), 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 0.9 blocks in 32.5 minutes per contest across four games.

The 6-foot-11, 220-pound Jelavic is set to turn 21 years old next month and has several seasons of international basketball under his belt, so he’ll be a major addition to the Kentucky frontcourt.

This is a much-needed depth addition as well, being that Jayden Quaintance has a long road to recovery from ACL surgery, while Malachi Moreno will be a true freshman, and Brandon Garrison logged just 17.3 minutes per game last season. Mo Dioubate figures to start at the 4, but he’ll now have some competition for that spot.

Kentucky now has 12 scholarships accounted for next season.

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