“Please, I need you”. -Ahead of his first ever visit to Lexington as a Wildcat this weekend, Andrija Jelavic makes Ralling cry to Kentucky fans as he begs for their…

“Please, I need you”: Andrija Jelavic Sends Emotional Message Ahead of Lexington Debut

This weekend marks a pivotal moment not only for rising European basketball sensation Andrija Jelavic, but for the passionate sports community of Lexington, Kentucky. In a heartfelt message posted to social media on Tuesday, Jelavic—known for his quiet intensity on the court and reserved demeanor off it—stepped out of his comfort zone to issue a direct and emotional plea to Kentucky fans.

“Please, I need you,” Jelavic began in a raw video filmed from his hotel room, his eyes red-rimmed and voice catching as he spoke. “I’ve dreamed about playing in the U.S. since I was a kid watching grainy NBA clips on my uncle’s laptop in Split. This is my first time in Lexington. I know your history. I know what basketball means here. And I’m asking—no, begging—you to be there this weekend. I need to feel that energy.”

It was a moment that instantly struck a chord. Jelavic, just 21 years old and already hailed as the “Croatian Comet” for his explosive performances across Europe, is making his U.S. debut at the Bluegrass International Showcase. The Lexington game will be his first in front of an American crowd, and the emotional weight he’s placing on it is clear.

“I’ve worked my whole life for this. Through injuries, through losses, through being told I was too skinny, too quiet, not good enough,” Jelavic said, wiping tears from his face. “But I kept going because I believed that one day I’d be able to play in a place like Lexington—where basketball is more than just a sport.”

What makes the appeal even more striking is that Jelavic isn’t speaking to fans from a position of dominance. He’s not yet a household name in the U.S. He hasn’t played for Kentucky. But in his vulnerability, he has tapped into something deeper—a shared love of the game, of underdogs, and of grit.

“I don’t care if you know my name yet,” he said in closing. “All I care about is if you’ll be in those seats, making noise, letting me know I’m not alone out there.”

The video quickly went viral, racking up tens of thousands of shares in a matter of hours. Lexington locals and longtime Wildcats fans took to social media to voice their support, with many pledging to attend the game and give Jelavic the reception he’s hoping for.

“Anyone who loves basketball has to love what this kid just did,” one fan wrote. “You could feel how real it was.”

This weekend, Rupp Arena may not be filled to the brim with Jelavic jerseys—yet. But it seems likely that after Saturday’s presentation, Lexington will remember the name Andrija Jelavic—and not just for what he can do on the hardwood, but for the rare courage it takes to simply say: “Please, I need you.”