FIBA: Serbian teenager Jovana Popovic is a rising star of women's basketball

Jovana Popovic is one of the most talented and promising young players in Europe.

Despite being only 17 years old, Popovic averaged 10.3 points (59% from the field), 3.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.8 steals per game in the Women's Premier League basketball team of Serbia. She can play as a point guard, shooter or winger, as she did this season for ZKK Mega MIS Beograd, who lost only one game in the regular season and won their first league championship this year.

When and how did you start playing basketball, and how did you end up at Mega MIS?

I started playing basketball when I was nine years old. After swimming training, I went to watch a basketball training and I really liked it, so I started playing basketball. I came to Mega last year, when coach Milan Vidosavljevic called me. I wanted to take a step forward and move to Mega.

Ten points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals per game. These are excellent averages, even less so for a player who is only 16 years old. Have you always had confidence in your ability to become a starter and have the season you had?

When I arrived at Mega, I was aware that I had to prove myself every day in order to gain the trust of my coaches and teammates.

What aspects of your game were you able to improve in your first year at Mega MIS? How did your game evolve over the course of the season?

Training with the senior team and with players older than me helped me a lot in my development. Thanks to them, I have significantly improved my game in all aspects, both individually and as a team.

And what about your development outside of basketball? You are the playmaker and play with more experienced players, but you have to earn their trust if you want them to agree to put the ball in your hands. How did you manage to build that trust and was there a point during the season when you felt like the team had your back?

For trust, time is key. Hard work, relationships with teammates on and off the field, respect, all of these things are important in building trust. The team chemistry was great, all my teammates were there to help me and give me useful advice when I needed it.

I ask about development because not only did your team win the championship, but you were the MVP of the Finals! What can you tell us about the series, your mindset, your teammates, and the emotion of lifting that cup?

As I said before, that trust we had was the key to my development, it allowed me to grow and, of course, thanks to their help, I won the MVP title. The MVP title is kind of individual, but in the end, it's just the result of great teamwork. That's why I have to say that I'm very grateful to have had the chance to play with such great players and people, because they made my transfer to a new club much, much easier. So I want to thank them all for that. The feeling you get when you lift the trophy is incomparable, it combines many feelings. You feel joy, pride, responsibility and gratitude all at the same time.

What are your plans for the summer? Aside from the Olympics (fingers crossed), will you be relaxing, catching up on some classes or working on your game?

I will use my free time to complete my school obligations. Then I will go to the Serbian U18 camp, because we have the European Championships at the beginning of August.

Special thanks to Goran Sanjevic of BeoBasket to arrange the interview.