Assessing Andrija Jelavic, Bogoljub Markovic, and Mihailo Petrovic in an Adriatic League Basketball Game

September 30th, 2024

I decided to take the time to watch Bogoljub Markovic, Andrija Jelavic, and Mega Basket play in a September 22nd Adriatic League game against Krka, with thanks to YouTube via ABA Liga j.t.d. In this game, 6-3 Serbian guard, Mihailo Petrovic was the standout performer in Mega Basket’s double-digit win, and both Jelavic and Markovic as well as 6-8 forward Filip Jovic also made some sterling plays to help their team get the victory. Here are my thoughts on how they fared, as well as how their games may currently stack up as prospects for the NBA. For those that are interested in the box score of this game, here is the link.

Andrija Jelavic is an athletic, energetic big man that can handle the basketball, and if he develops a consistent outside shot, that could enable him to move up into the late first round range for the 2025 draft. (Photo: Ivica Veselinov – Mega MIS/ABA liga, via Basketball Sphere)

Andrija Jelavic had a solid showing to help his team get a double-digit win over Krka. The 6-10 Serbian forward made solid hustle plays on both ends of the floor as well as the ability to create his own shot to score the basketball in this game.

Jelavic showed a knack for scoring on hustle plays. He would score on quick cuts, as well as in transition, and on put backs, and he was able to score on a couple of emphatic dunks energetically. Jelavic also was able to score on a strong baseline drive in traffic. Plus, he also utilized a crafty up and under, step-through move to score out of the post. However, he sometimes would struggle to get deep position, and he would tend to miss on tough shots out of the post. He also really struggled to knock down three-point shots, as he threw up a couple of air balls when attempting them from beyond the arc.

He also showcased fairly average playmaking skills. Jelavic was able to make a drive and kick pass to get the ball to a teammate. He also pushed the pace off of a defensive rebound and used a spin move to show his handles. He also was able to pass out of the post when doubled once. On the downside, he would sometimes throw long, inaccurate passes that would sail out of bounds, which led him to commit a couple of passing turnovers.

Also, Jelavic did a good job of rebounding the basketball. He is a springy, mobile big man that was able to haul in multiple boards on both ends of the floor, and he would sometimes bring the ball up and push the pace off of defensive rebounds. He also played satisfactory defense in this game. Jelavic would get his hands on passes and hustle to loose balls to help his team get steals. He also was able to rotate to block a shot off of a drive once. He also would stay in front of his man when defending opponents off the dribble to force some misses. On the downside, sometimes he would get beat off the dribble by quicker opponents, which would lead him to commit fouls and allow scores. Other times, he would play too aggressively, as he got beat on a cut and would sometimes bite on pump fakes, which would lead him to be out of position defensively.

In summary, Andrija Jelavic played well to help his team get a double-digit win in this game. He is a mobile, energetic big man that can ably create his own offense. He’ll need to continue to improve his outside shot, but his size, athleticism, and skill set could enable him to be a second round pick in 2025, as he could project to be a solid role player in the NBA.

6-11 Serbian big man, Bogoljub Markovic scored 9 points, made a three-pointer, and had 6 rebounds in Mega Basket’s 80-70 over Krka on September 22nd. (Photo: Dragana Stjepanovic/ABA League j.t.d.)

Bogoljub Markovic also had a solid showing to help his team get a double-digit win over Krka. He is an agile, skilled 6-11 big man that can score the basketball in a variety of ways, and his combination of size, athleticism, and offensive skills enabled him to help his team get the victory.

Markovic showed off a smooth outside shot in this game. He was able to utilize a pump fake to make an open three-pointer off the catch to showcase his ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc. He also managed to use a crossover move to score on a smooth, right-handed drive to the hoop. He also was quite active in looking to score on hustle plays. Markovic was able to score on a put back and on a tip-in, but sometimes he would occasionally miss some easy shots around the basket.

He also showcased fairly average playmaking skills. Markovic can ably pass out of the post, and he would find open cutters to set up scoring chances for his teammates. He was able to pass out of a double team to find a teammate on the move to notch an assist. On the downside, sometimes he would throw inaccurate passes that would go astray, which led him to commit a couple of passing turnovers.

Also, he showed a solid ability to rebound the basketball. Markovic was able to haul in boards on both ends of the floor, as he especially excelled at hauling in offensive rebounds, and he also would tend to push the pace off of defensive boards. Defensively, he looked to be about average at best. For the positives, Markovic was able to deflect a pass once. He also stayed wide to contest a long three to force a miss. On the downside, he would tend to sag too far off of three-point shooters, which would lead him to allow scores to them. Other times, he would over-rotate and play too aggressively, which would lead him to be out of position defensively.

In general, Bogoljub Markovic is a tall, skilled big man that has an interesting blend of size, athleticism, and offensive skills, which could enable him to be a second round pick in the 2025 draft. He will need to be more assertive on offense, continue to knock down outside shots, and he will need to improve defensively, but his skill set and upside could enable him to be a solid role player in the NBA.

Mihailo Petrovic is a very skilled, mobile playmaker whose solid offensive skills could enable him to be a second round pick in the 2025 draft. (Photo: Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Mega Basket’s 6-3 Serbian point guard, Mihailo Petrovic put forth a strong performance to help lead his team to a double-digit win over Krka. He is an agile, skilled point guard that did a great job of shooting and scoring the basketball, and he excelled at making plays offensively.

Petrovic did a great job of scoring off the dribble. He has a quick first step and showed good body control to consistently score and finish plays around the basket. He can use either hand to do so, and he also managed to score on a strong, acrobatic reverse layup while getting fouled once. He also excelled at making dribble, mid-range jumpers. Plus, Petrovic shot the ball well from the outside, and he would use crossovers to make smooth, pull-up threes from beyond the arc.

Plus, he also displayed good playmaking skills. Petrovic can make accurate passes off the dribble and throw crisp, timely passes to find teammates on the move to set up numerous scores for them due to possessing solid court vision. On the downside, there was one play where he was called for palming that led to a ball-handling turnover, but generally Petrovic did a very good job of distributing the basketball and running the point on offense.

Though he didn’t get many rebounds in this game, Petrovic was able to get a defensive board against Krka. He also played adequate defense. Petrovic was able to contest shots to force some misses. However, there was one play where he struggled to defend a bigger player around the basket as he seemingly tried to go for a steal and missed, which led him to commit the foul that time.

Overall, Mihailo Petrovic had a tremendous game to help his team get the win, and he gave off some serious Payton Pritchard-vibes in Mega Basket’s victory over Krka. Petrovic may be a very underrated prospect, especially if he can excel at making three-point shots all year long. He’ll need to prove that he can be a more consistent outside shooter and he’ll need to show that he can guard taller, stronger opponents, but his ability to make plays on offense combined with having above average athletic gifts could enable him to be a second round pick in 2025, and it could enable him to be a solid role player in the NBA.

Filip Jovic also played well to help his team get the win in this game. He is a fairly athletic, energetic 6-8 combo forward that thrived as a low post scorer and passer, and he was very efficient in making shots on offense.

Jovic did a very good job of scoring out of the post. He would often score using a series of spin moves, ball fakes, and drop steps, which would enable him to score on strong, two-handed dunks as well as to consistently score in traffic. He also managed to score on rolls to the rim as well as on a put back, and he was able to throw down a dunk in traffic off of a roll to the rim. He also displayed solid playmaking skills. Jovic can pass and handle the basketball, and he did a good job of throwing long, accurate passes to find teammates on the move to set up scores for them, and he also can ably pass out of the post. On one play though, he got the ball on a cut to the hoop, but he collided into a defender and was called for a charging foul that time.

Though he didn’t grab many rebounds in this game, Jovic was able to get a board on both ends of the floor. However, he would often forget to box out his man, which would cause him to allow offensive boards in his area, which led him to commit fouls and allow scores. He also played adequate defense in this game. Jovic was able to stay in front of opponents out on the perimeter and contest threes to force some misses. He also ran in to intercept a pass to get a steal. On the downside, he would struggle to defend in the post, as he would get outmuscled or play too aggressively, which would lead him to commit fouls. Another time, he over-hedged onto an opposing ball handler and was late to rotate back to a roll man, as his team gave up a score around the basket that time.

Overall, Filip Jovic had a solid showing, as he excelled as a scorer and distributor in this game. He will still need to expand upon his skill set offensively and add a reliable outside shot to his arsenal, but he could be an intriguing second round prospect for the 2025 draft.

Timotej Malovec was able to make some solid plays to help his team get the win over Krka. The 6-5 Serbian guard excelled at attacking the hoop to score the basketball when he elected to do so. He thrived as a scorer on the break, and he also was able to score on a high-flying, two-handed jam. Plus, he also scored on a quick, left-handed drive. On the downside, he didn’t take many shots in this game, and he also missed both of his three-point attempts.

He also displayed adequate playmaking skills in this game. Malovec is an unselfish player that will make the extra pass to find the open man. Though he didn’t get many rebounds in this game, he was able to get a pair of boards when he was on the floor. Defensively, he looked to be fairly average. For the positives, he was able to deflect a pass off of an opponent out of bounds to force an early turnover. He also would stay in front of opposing ball handlers and contest mid-range shots to force misses. On the downside, he would tend to play too aggressively, which would lead him to be out of position and commit fouls and allow scores. Other times, he would take bad gambles by attempting to reach in but it would lead him to sacrifice positioning in trying to do so.

Overall, Malovec is an athletic, energetic swingman that can make hustle plays on both ends of the floor, but he will need to improve his jump shot and defense in the meantime. He’ll still need time to develop and hone his overall game, but if so, he could put himself in a position to be a possible second round pick in the 2026 draft.

Jack Kayil had his ups and downs for Mega Basket in his team’s win over Krka. He is an athletic guard that was able to make some solid defensive plays, but he didn’t shoot the ball very well in this game. Kayil was able to run the floor to quickly score on the break. On the downside, he missed all of his three-point attempts, as he struggled to make shots from the outside. He also displayed fairly average playmaking skills. He is an unselfish player that can make quick passes off the dribble to find open shooters. On the downside, there was one play where he shuffled his feet while handling the ball, which led him to be called for a traveling violation.

Also, Kayil did a decent job of rebounding the basketball. He was able to get boards on both ends of the floor. On one play though, he committed an unnecessary foul on a play where his team allowed a put back score. He also played solid defense in this game. Kayil would apply significant ball pressure, jump on loose balls, and get his hands on passes to help his team get steals and deflections. He also fought through a screen to contest a corner three to force a miss, and he showed solid lateral mobility to stay in front of his man and contest outside shots to get stops for his team. On the downside, he would tend to play too aggressively and over-help, which would lead him to be out of position when defending shooters. Other times, he struggled to defend stronger opponents when defending in the paint.

Overall, Kayil didn’t have his best game, but he is an athletic, pass-first point guard that can make some solid defensive plays when he is on the floor. He will need to improve his jump shot and be more assertive on offense, but he could be a prospect to keep tabs on in the future.

All in all, those are my thoughts on how Andrija Jelavic, Bogoljub Markovic, Mihailo Petrovic, and other various prospects fared in this game. Thanks for reading.