Jovana Popovic Commits to UConn

[Stronga12]

Yes, taller than MoJeff and Crystal. But I don't think she's as tall as you say here. The only listing I've seen shows her as 5'8". But in the videos I've come across, she looks more like 5'7". Of course, that's just based on camera angles and is not very reliable. But I don't think she's as tall as KK or Ash or Kayleigh.

FIBA Eurobasket listed her height as 175cm which is almost exactly 5foot9. It's possible that she appears somewhat shorter because she has a fairly slim build for now.

https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-eurobasket-2025/teams/serbia/298434-jovana-popovic

 

[Bone Dog]

FIBA Eurobasket listed her height as 175cm which is almost exactly 5foot9. It's possible that she appears somewhat shorter because she has a fairly slim build for now.

https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-eurobasket-2025/teams/serbia/298434-jovana-popovic

Interesting. I think I'm glad to hear that, though I do like the idea of having a true 'little' on the roster.

 

[From Canada]

Yes, taller than MoJeff and Crystal. But I don't think she's as tall as you say here. The only listing I've seen shows her as 5'8". But in the videos I've come across, she looks more like 5'7". Of course, that's just based on camera angles and is not very reliable. But I don't think she's as tall as KK or Ash or Kayleigh.

Jovana Popovic is not the tallest, but Serbia has Nada Maksimovic, who was born in 2010 and is 6'8" tall. She is the daughter of a former WNBA player (see attachment). Serbia has qualified for the 2026 U17 World Cup, so we will have the opportunity to see her then. There is more parity in Europe and it is not always easy to qualify. France did not qualify and will not be participating in the 2026 U17 World Cup.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Jovana Popovic - Serbia - Player Profile - FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket 2025 | FIBA Basketball

All detailed statistics, points, assists and rebounds of Popovic - Serbia from FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket 2025

www.fiba.basketball

 

[Boreifs]

Ahh, I understand that they might have played together, but historically Serbs and Croats have had a checked history (many decades before either of these two young ladies were born). At this point in history, it's probably more like driving in Tennessee with a UConn bumper sticker on your car.

They are teammates on the Nike Summit game in April. Popovic had a great game; Olivia did not.

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

Not a verbal - she signed her LOI and Geno has openly commented about her (doesn't happen without a LOI in hand.)

I do like this signing - I think foreign players have better team skills based on spending their time practicing and playing on stable teams and not having the AAU circuit with pick-up all-star teams that seldom actually practice as a team. And while the skill level overseas isn't as great as in US HS/AAU play for pre-college, the experience playing against older professional players is a positive.

Thank.you for the clarification... your answer helped me understand. So this means we still have a shot at Jerzy and even the other guard from California, Kaleena Smith

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

Its the way she attacks the basket thats got me excited. Its like flowing motion that cant be stopped fromnits trajectory, going to the hoop.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Double WOW!
IMHO she would be in the top 10 of American HSers in the 2026 class!
She's hitting on all cylinders!
Interested to see if her defensive game is as high as her offense!

 

[MilfordHusky]

Thank.you for the clarification... your answer helped me understand. So this means we still have a shot at Jerzy and even the other guard from California, Kaleena Smith

Jerzy is Class of 2026. Kaleena Smith (Special K) is class of 2027. I think we are looking at a few guards in 2027, including #1 Special K and #2 Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka.

 

[DefenseBB]

First of all, WOW! This came out of the blue. Geno is always three steps ahead. This girl is lightning in a bottle.

Second, I haven't found any highlights showing her defensive play. That's not surprising, but that's gonna be an important question for her at UConn. Her offensive skills are very refined.

Third, I'm officially dubbing her "Special J." On offense, she looks a lot like Kaleena, though maybe less rushed and frenetic. But similarly aggressive mentality. I'm not sure Geno needs a Special K and a Special J at this point.

Fourth, she's little. We haven't had a true little since Crystal. It's about time. And she seems to have big hands for a little, at least judging from the way she moves the ball. She also appears to be very fit, like she's seen the inside of a weight room.

View attachment 113437

Fifth, contrary to one poster above, she looks nothing like CC in the face.

Sixth, the guard corps for next year appears to be pretty much set. Who knows about what happens after that.

• 26-27: KK Ash Kayleigh Allie Morgan Kelis Jovana -- that's a handful for any opposing team to deal with
• 27-28: Kayleigh Allie Morgan Kelis Jovana
• 28-29: Kelis and Jovana and maybe still Morgan -- the first post Sarah season. Olivia Gandy and Blanca holding down the front court.
• 29-30: Jovana and Olivia and Gandy

What are you talking about? She is not little. According to @Charliebball post #10 her details are Birth Date: October 5, 2007 (17 years old)Height: 1.75m (5ft 9in). She is the same size as K9 than KK.
Never let the truth get in the way of you “unique” perspective…SMDH