Jovana Popovic Commits to UConn

[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.

 

[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.

 

[Hawk]

Here’s why I struggle with that. Clearly, the Big O had an offer for some time, and Jovana’s offer didn’t happen in the past few days. That only leaves one other potential offer between Bjorn, Robinson & Okeke.

Apparently there’s also photos of Jovana when Blanca visited and Morgan has been following her for a while now. I think they’re recruiting quietly to be honest.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

 

[connboy77]

This makes me very happy that we got a player as good as Jovana! Geno, keep them coming!

 

[Zarathustra]

I've noticed, in this and other highlight films, that
Jovana (a right-handed shooter) has the capacity to
switch to her left for a bucket (watch for a drive to
the basket in this highlight reel). And... the foot
speed! I also had the idea that Jovana could
be a shooting guard (in Azzi's role), though she
will probably be one of the handful of combo
guards on the team. Does anyone have thoughts about
her role: PG, Combo Guard, Shooting guard?

 

[oldhusky]

IMO, a comparison really can't be made. Completely different games. Bjorn is a wing and Robinson is a SG. This kid is a classic combo guard and I haven't seen one better other than Bueckers and Clark coming out of HS in the last 5 or so years. Her ballhandling, court vision, shooting mechanics, ability to create separation, and particularly her unselfishness are elite. Her 5-9 size isn't a problem either for the same reason it wasn't for Kelsey Plum, that uncanny ability to create separation. She could play fulltime PG easily if needed and I believe that along with Kate Harpring, would be the top CG in the 2026 US class. And she might be a better passer.

In addition to the combo guard way she is being described, she also had rebounding numbers in the U18 tournament that makes me think she could be considered in spots as the 3 in a small ball lineup, kind of like Ash now, but of course also has versatility to be a point, or shooting guard.

The jury might still be out, but it appears Geno may be comfortable using KK and Kayleigh together, and that might be true with Popovic with either as well.

 

[Forego]

Get to know Serbian teenager Jovana Popovic, a budding women’s basketball star

Get to know the 17-year-old guard, who just led her team to its first championship in Serbia.

www.google.com

Vana speaks! I’m not sure if this article will show up as a link, but you techs out there should be able to find your way to the interview. Vana sounds like she has graduated from the CD interview training course. More importantly, she has the UConn mindset. It is apparent why Geno made her an offer.

 

[Conndog]

As Zarathustra says, her foot speed on drives is amazing

 

[BobbyJ]

I've noticed, in this and other highlight films, that
Jovana (a right-handed shooter) has the capacity to
switch to her left for a bucket (watch for a drive to
the basket in this highlight reel). And... the foot
speed! I also had the idea that Jovana could
be a shooting guard (in Azzi's role), though she
will probably be one of the handful of combo
guards on the team. Does anyone have thoughts about
her role: PG, Combo Guard, Shooting guard?

Yes, she's a combo guard. That means she can play either PG or SG at any time, whatever is needed.

 

[DemonDeac22]

Smart move by Geno. It seems like the European players are very fundamentally sound and they appear to learn team basketball from a young age. If you look at the NBA they have hit an all-time high in 2025-2026 in international players (135) and within that group they hit a record high with 71 European players. Geno is simply following the talent and it is growing both internationally as well as in Europe.

 

[HopJim]

As Zarathustra says, her foot speed on drives is amazing

Very smooth pull up, midrange game as well. 3-point shooting could use some work but expect improvement since her fundamentals are so sound. No clue regarding defensive skills.

 

[From Canada]

Here is a game played just six months ago during the Women's Eurobasket competition. We can see her with the senior national team. She wears the #28 in blue. In this game, she had a playing time of: 29:28, 9 pts. (4/10) 3 reb, 5 ast and 2 stl. The team's starting PG, Yvonne Anderson, found herself in foul trouble and she had the opportunity to prove herself further. With such high-level competition, we can get a good idea of where she stands right now. I've also added the box score. You can click on each player's name to see their complete stats. I've included a video of her entering the game.

Lithuania vs Serbia - Group Phase - FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 | FIBA Basketball

Lithuania vs Serbia - Browse boxscore, game information & live stats, team rosters, photos and video highlights

www.fiba.basketball

 

[Spaceman213J]

I like that she is always on the balls of her feet and as quick as she plays, she doesn't seem 'in a hurry'. Players like her look like they are taking their time, but really are going by people. It creates good balance and a strong base.
Paige was one of the best I've seen on the women's side doing this. At times, it looks like long, almost lumbering strides, but in fact the player is moving faster than it appears, are balanced and ready to absorb some contact and finish. Strong, does this well as well and prior to the injuries Ducharme had the same kind of footwork driving through the paint.
Blanca shows signs of this, but just needs to slow down a bit at times. I think getting a little sped up, which is very common for a freshman, and part of her game coming in from the footage I've seen of her playing before coming to Storrs, is something they are working on and already seeing signs of her being more mindful of when to throttle down and up.

Still, looking forward to the young Serb playing for the Huskies.

 

[BobbyJ]

Here is a game played just six months ago during the Women's Eurobasket competition. We can see her with the senior national team. She wears the #28 in blue. In this game, she had a playing time of: 29:28, 9 pts. (4/10) 3 reb, 5 ast and 2 stl. The team's starting PG, Yvonne Anderson, found herself in foul trouble and she had the opportunity to prove herself further. With such high-level competition, we can get a good idea of where she stands right now. I've also added the box score. You can click on each player's name to see their complete stats. I've included a video of her entering the game.

Lithuania vs Serbia - Group Phase - FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 | FIBA Basketball

Lithuania vs Serbia - Browse boxscore, game information & live stats, team rosters, photos and video highlights

www.fiba.basketball

This is top level amateur competition in Europe, much superior to anything she would have faced in US HS competition. Dugalic of UCLA is #32 in blue and Juste Jocyte of Lithuania is #4 in white. Popovic can obviously play at a high level. She was still only 17 yo at this tournament. And check out the spin move and finish at 48:50 of the video. And listen to the comments by the analyst starting at 49:42.

Jovana Popovic (Serbia) - Basketball Stats, Height, Age | FIBA Basketball

Explore the career and performances of Jovana Popovic. Access all stats, latest news, photos, videos and achievements.

www.fiba.basketball

 

[donalddoowop]

From the article in the last year or so she sounds like a high-level talent in Europe. Was she even on any school recruiting list? It is interesting that Geno has put a lot of focus on recruiting international players the last few years.

It seems to have started the season after Charlie Collier de-committed. Since then, there seems to have been a focus on recruiting foreign players. Someone with good research skills can check to see if that was when the recruiting of foreign players became prominent.

 

[NYFan]

I'm inclined to call her JoPop. 😆

Does she pronounce her name with the J sounding like a Y? If so, then maybe it should be YoPop... 😉

 

[donalddoowop]

As the saying goes, " the rich keep getting richer and the others can only hope. " With the recent signings. Uconn has cemented it's latest. DYNASTY. I. myself has been continually pressed to have to watch Uconn BB into it's future reign of terror on the other teams. I am now 92 years old and my total joy in life is Uconn's basketball and their almost perfection in playing this game. Now the DYNASTY has reached into the 2029/30 season and I haveto find some way to see all the games. I have been BLESSED with good genes and now look forward to 5 more years of Uconn BB until I am 97 years old. I have been a DIE=HARD fan since 2010. GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!

You give me hope.

 

[donalddoowop]

“POP” has to be Jovana’s nickname here at UConn.

Why does she have to have a nickname? What is wrong with Jovana?

 

[Tonyc]

Well, well well What a big surprise We got a good one. The skills are there, and the video shows us a lot from a 17-yr old playing up against much older women. For Geno to get her tells me something about his recruiting, which Im not sure I know. He's going in a new direction. More non-Americans. To take her on a team that has as much talent as UConn has on their roster tells me shes that good. Shes not gonna be at the end of the bench. She is very athletic and create her own shot and isnt afraid to shoot. To be playing up on her team and play with that kind of leadership and confidence is just wow. She takes charge like many of the great players we've seen at UConn. Shes not afraid not intimidated and does not defer to her older teammates. I think we got a special player to join our already great team

 

[donalddoowop]

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

Isn't Kelis considered a " little"? If not she should be.