The story is already part of Kentucky basketball lore: Mark Pope, well on his way to becoming a doctor, abruptly dropped out of medical school to chase his true passion, begging his way onto Mark Fox’s
coaching staff. He recently admitted on the Field of 68 podcast that he “would have been a terrible doctor,” a stroke of luck for the Big Blue Nation.
But what fans may not know is that Pope isn’t the only person in the program who almost traded the hardwood for the hospital.
From future doctor to frontcourt weapon
In a recent interview with the UK Sports Network, newcomer forward Andrija Jelavic revealed his own surprising backstory. The skilled Croatian big man was also on a path to study medicine before fully committing to his professional basketball career.
It’s a remarkable coincidence that two key figures in the program’s revival share such a unique and demanding academic background. If Jelavic’s success on the court turns out to be anything like Pope’s, Kentucky has found another gem.
The athlete-to-doctor pipeline
While it may seem rare, the path from elite athlete to physician is more common than you might think, especially in the NFL. According to BoardVitals.com, a number of former pro football players have gone on to have incredible careers in medicine.
- Dr. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif: The former Kansas City Chiefs guard won a Super Bowl and graduated from medical school during his NFL career.
- Dr. Myron Rolle: The former Florida State star and Tennessee Titans safety is now a neurosurgery resident at Harvard Medical School.
- Dr. Samkon Gado: The former Green Bay Packers running back is now an Otolaryngology Specialist.
These individuals, along with others like Dr. Dan Fortmann and Dr. Milt McColl, have credited their athletic careers with preparing them for the intense focus and teamwork required in medicine. While Pope and Jelavic ultimately chose a different path, it’s clear that the discipline and intelligence required for both pursuits are one and the same. And they could lead Kentucky basketball to a title in 2025-2026.
