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Jovana Popovic is without doubt one of the most proficient and promising younger gamers in Europe.
Regardless of being simply 17 years outdated, Popovic averaged 10.3 factors (59 p.c from the sector), 3.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and a pair of.8 steals per recreation within the First Girls’s Basketball League of Serbia. She will be able to play as some extent guard, capturing guard or wing, as she did this season for ZKK Mega MIS Beograd, which misplaced just one recreation within the common season and gained its first league championship this yr.
When and the way did you get into basketball, and the way did you land in Mega MIS?
I began working towards basketball after I was 9. After swimming follow, I went to see one basketball follow and I favored it lots, so I began working towards basketball. I got here to Mega final yr, when coach Milan Vidosavljevic known as me. I needed to take a step ahead and to switch to Mega.
Ten factors, 4 assists, three rebounds and three steals per recreation. These are nice averages, not to mention by a participant who was simply 16 years outdated. Have been you all the time assured in that you’d grow to be the starter and have the season that you just’ve had?
After I first got here to Mega, I used to be conscious that I wanted to show myself each day so as to achieve the belief of my coaches and teammates.
What points of your recreation have been you in a position to enhance throughout your first yr at Mega MIS? How did your recreation change all through the season?
Working towards with the senior staff and gamers which are older than me helped me lots in my growth. Due to them, I considerably improved my recreation in each facet, each on particular person and staff degree.
And what about your growth exterior of basketball? You’re the playmaker, enjoying with extra skilled gamers, however it’s essential achieve their belief if you would like them to be okay with placing the ball in your fingers. How have been you in a position to constructed that belief and was there a second through the season whenever you felt that the staff had your again?
For belief, time is vital. Exhausting work, relationships with teammates each on and off the courtroom, respect, all this stuff are necessary in constructing belief. Workforce chemistry was nice, all of my teammates have been there to assist me and provides me useful recommendation after I wanted it.
I’m asking in regards to the growth as a result of your staff not solely gained the championship, however you have been the Finals MVP! What are you able to inform us in regards to the collection, your mindset, your teammates and the emotion of elevating that cup?
As I discussed earlier, that belief we had, was key to my growth, allowed me to develop and, in fact, with their assist I gained the MVP award. Because the MVP award is indirectly particular person, on the finish of the day, it’s simply results of nice teamwork. That’s why I need to say that I’m very grateful that I had an opportunity to play with such nice gamers and nice folks, as a result of they made a switch to a brand new membership a lot, a lot simpler. So I wish to thank all of them for that. The sensation whenever you raise the trophy is unmatched, with many emotions mixed. You’re feeling each pleasure, pleasure, accountability and gratitude.
What are your plans for the Summer time? Aside from the Olympics (fingers crossed), will you calm down, compensate for some faculty stuff or work in your recreation?
My day without work I’ll use to complete my faculty obligations. Then, I’m going to U18 Serbian camp, as we now have European championships initially of the August.
A particular thanks to Goran Šanjević of BeoBasket for arranging the interview.
