Andrija Jelavic Impressed BBN Tonight Host Keith Farmer

Croatian Andrija Jelavic has a personality that BBN Tonight's Keith Farmer believes will adapt well to being part of Big Blue Nation. (UK Athletics Photo)

Kentucky coach Mark Pope shared earlier that he had a recruiting call with Andrija Jelavic when the Croatian standout cried talking about getting a chance to play for the Wildcats. Jelavic confirmed to Keith Farmer of WLEX-TV BBN Tonight that it was not a hard recruiting battle for Pope.

“I played a game and I was really good, and that’s when the Kentucky rumor started to spread,” the 6-foot-11 freshman told Farmer. “At one point, my agent told me, ‘Kentucky is interested in you.’ Since that moment, we knew we wanted Kentucky.

“The moment Mark Pope called me and said that he wanted me to be a part of this team this year and everything, I instantly said, ‘Yes, I want to be here.’ We didn’t even talk about the details and everything. I instantly committed.”

Jelavic said Pope told him to tell his agent, Misko Raznatovic, that he wanted to commit.

“I told him and I instantly committed. I didn’t even talk to the other college coaches. So Mark Pope was the first and only coach I spoke to about that,” Jelavic said on BBN Tonight.

Kentucky basketball is a brand that Jelavic knew well even in Croatia.

“Everyone knows about Kentucky — the name, the legacy, everything. It was for real,” Jelavic said. “When a big name like that wants you to be part of it, it’s a dream come true.

“The moment I heard that name, I wanted to be part of this organization, and just talking to Mark Pope confirmed it. I instantly saw what kind of man he is, what kind of coach he is. It was just one of the most easy decisions in my life.”

Jelavic averaged 11, 7.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game last season for Mega Superbet in the Adriatic League. He’s already 21 years old, has been playing professional basketball and impressed BBN Tonight’s Farmer with his maturity.

“I didn’t really know what to expect going into the interview but the word that comes to mind is mature. He gives the vibes of being a very mature kid,” Farmer said. “I think he will be able to handle everything at Kentucky pretty smoothly. He seems pretty grounded and understands what all goes along with being at Kentucky.

“I think he will thrive off the attention at Kentucky. He said that he actually loved doing interviews and was totally into it. He’s very well spoken and very easy to understand. I am excited to see him play and how he does because he is a very likable young man.”