Why did Kentucky transfer center Andrija Jelavic pick Ohio State?

“My relationship with him is great,” he said. “We are both very open and straightforward on our goals for this season, as well as his task for me and the role he wants me to play. We both have a winning mentality and are just ready to give it all for winning.”

Andrija Jelavic (left) and Justin Pippen watch the Ohio State football team warm up before the spring game at Ohio Stadium on April 18.

Before getting to college, Jelavic played a season of professional basketball in his home country. In his year at Kentucky, Jelavic averaged 5.5 points and 4.0 rebounds while playing in 32 games. He moved into the starting lineup for the final 20 games, averaging 15.6 minutes per appearance. He also averaged 2.4 3-point attempts per game, hitting at a 27.6% clip.

“I experienced what it is like to play college basketball at the biggest levels and what does it take to win,” he said. “I think that experience is what will be great for me in my second season.”

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Kentucky coach Mark Pope had said Jelavic was a priority for the Wildcats to retain in 2026-27. When Ohio State announced his signing, Diebler talked about how excited he was to add Jelavic, who has two years of collegiate eligibility remaining.

“His size and skillset will provide us great versatility in the front court,” Diebler said in a statement. “He's an experienced player that is continuing to grow and I can't wait to see him in the Scarlet and Gray.”

Jelavic cited his versatility when asked how he sees his skills fitting into the team, noting that he can play both power forward and center.

“We can play different kinds of basketball depending on what position I’m playing, but I think this team will definitely want to play fast transition basketball with having a big height advantage over other teams,” he said. “I am most comfortable playing [power forward] as well as [center], I think the game has become very similar for those two positions, and I think I can create a lot of advantages for the team at those positions.”

Jelavic will be one of four Buckeyes listed at 6-10 or taller: Ojianwuna (6-10, 270), Lazarevic (7-1, 200) and Njegovan (7-2, 260). The two native Croatians are longtime friends, Jelavic said, and are looking forward to playing alongside one another.

“I think this is the beginning of a great year for both of us,” he said. “I appreciate the opportunity coach Diebler gave me as well as the whole organization and the fans, and that I am ready to give everything I have for them.”

Ohio State men's basketball beat writer Adam Jardy can be reached at ajardy@dispatch.com, on Bluesky at @cdadamjardy.bsky.social or on Twitter at @AdamJardy.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Opportunity at Ohio State helped Andrija Jelavic pick the Buckeyes