News
BC UMMC signs guard of the Serbian national team
Jovana Nogic, 26-year-old Serbian basketball player, has joined the “Foxes”. In the past season, she played for the Turkish team Besiktas, participating in 32 games and averaging 17.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5 assists per game.
Jovana Nogic
Date of birth: 17.12.1997
Place of birth: Belgrade (Serbia)
Position: forward
Height: 185 cm
Number: 17
- Jovana, welcome to Yekaterinburg! This is your first season in Russia, what are your expectations from the country? Have you ever visited Russia?
- Thank you! I’ve been to Russia before. In 2015, we played the World Championship for under 19. I can't remember what we finished, but it wasn't good since I can't remember. It was my first time in Russia and I loved it. I got to see the Kremlin, Saint Basil's Cathedral and just walked around the center. As for my expectations - I always say Russians and Serbians are brothers so I expect it to be similar mindset.
- At the Olympics in Paris, you represented your country. Share your impressions please. How do you evaluate the performance of your team?
- In terms of the Olympics, obviously it would have been better if we had made it to the semifinals but I think we did the best that we could and I can rest easily knowing that I gave it all that I had. Of course, you always want more and more but sometimes you need to be realistic and be thankful for what you have achieved and be proud. So I think individually I did a good job. As a team, I also think we did a good job. And, obviously, we’re still a team that’s learning that’s developing, starting to play with each other, learning to play with each other, so I think only better things will come to us.
- What achievements in your career are the most significant for you?
- The most significant moments in my career – I would have to say participating in the Olympics. I think any athlete in any sport has a dream of one day being at the Olympics. Probably, that was the moment I am most proud of. Obviously, I have trophies and championships, but the Olympics it's the highest of those points.
- Tell us please how you spent your holidays.
- As for my holiday, it was very “basketball”, focused summer. Obviously, we had the preparations for the Olympics. I mean with us this always lasts 2-3 months of preparations and then the actual Olympics. So since the Olympics finished I had 3-4 weeks to just rest and disconnect which is more than most of the players who participated in the Olympics had. So I'm very grateful to be able to use 3 weeks just to disconnect mind and body, specially mind because I think that's one of the most important ones. And I used that time to spend time with my family, my friends, go some tourism, sightseeing and all of the non-basketball related activities.
- What do you know about the UMMC basketball club and its players?
- In my opinion, it's the greatest women’s basketball club that has ever existed, and the players who have played there only prove that. No other team has the facilities and the resources that you have. I have some friends who have played there and they only speak good things about the club, the country too and the people, so I'm very excited.
- Do you have any rituals or special preparation methods before a game?
- When it comes to rituals and preparations maybe I'm a little bit superstitious but not that much, so I don't have any huge rituals. I just like to do always the same routine but it's just my routine before the games to get me focused. That's it, maybe I'm a little bit boring.
- What are your expectations for the 2024-2025 season?
- I think it’s pretty simple. I expect us to win the Championship and the Cup. I mean it’s not easy but those are my expectations.
- Here’re some short questions just to get to know you better. Who is your favorite player?
- Magic Johnson
- Do you have a favorite dish?
- I don't have favorite food, that's the thing about me, I cannot pick just one because I like to eat everything. This last season that I was in Turkey, I fell in love with Turkish food. I love Serbian food; I love Portuguese food because I grew up in Portugal. I love pasta, pizza, cevapi, baklava. Probably if I had to say something is my favorite it would be Turkish cuisine.
- How do you spend your free time?
- I like to just talk to my friends, watch some TV shows, I like to play Sudoku, board games, but I don’t have any specific hobby. I like reading too.
We wish Jovana good luck and sporting success in our team!