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European Flavour: Stefan Jankovic
Published by CROWN staff on July 12, 2009
European Flavour
Class: 2011
Position: Forward
Height: 6’9
School: St. Francis Xavier (Mississauga, ON)
For years, North American coaches have scoured the European continent looking for versatile big men. Luckily for Canadian basketball, we already have some of these players coming up through our national ranks. Stefan Jankovic is one of the best in the class of 2011.
“I came to Canada [from Serbia] when I was about five years old,” the 6’9, 205 pound forward from St. Francis Xavier in Mississauga tells us. Like most European athletes, soccer was his first passion before basketball.
“Soccer wasn’t too big in Canada when I moved here so my parents put me in a couple local basketball camps. I started with my first organized team in grade five with the Mississauga Marauders. I was tall for my age and basketball was perfect for me.”
Since then, Stefan hasn’t looked back. With a smooth shot, solid handles and rebounding prowess, he brings a different type of game for a big man, similar to his favourite player, Hedo Turkoglu.
“My versatility lies in not being the typical 6’9 big man, but instead being a European-type of big man who can do everything on the court,” says Stefan.
While averaging about 20 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks and 4 assists a game for Xavier this season, Stefan helped lead his team to big wins over big schools such as Eastern Commerce, Notre Dame and St. Edmund Campion. During this solid campaign, he found himself stepping up as the team’s leader, a role he takes seriously and hopes to continue excelling in.
A member of the Hoop Factory AAU team and the Canadian Training Camp roster, Stefan was also a part of the Toronto BJCC club that won the Ontario Provincial Championship a couple years back. This summer he is suiting up for Grassroots Canada, which will give him a chance to make a splash on the AAU scene and get more attention.
“I’m trying to go Prep next year and just improve so I can show up on the scene as one of the best players in my class and get some looks from D1 schools,” Stefan tells us. “I’m hoping to get a D1 scholaraship and then after that go pro.”
Going on 16 years of age, Stefan still has plenty of time to continue developing his game as he climbs the ranks of Canada’s top big. And while his opponents wish he never left the soccer pitch, his coaches and teammates can feel lucky that this young star switched his cleats for sneakers.
–By Jovan Brkic–
(15 votes, average: 4.73 out of 5)
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5 so far
#1 bob cole on Tue, 14th Jul 2009 4:55 pm
i’ve seen him play, can be soft at times but he sure has upside. He’s tall and real thin, will be much better when he puts on weight.
#2 Basshat on Thu, 16th Jul 2009 8:11 pm
“smooth shot” – definitely. The kid is pretty solid from the three point line, too.
“solid handles” – he often brought the ball up the court. Of course, that also says a lot about how weak Xavier’s point guard was.
“rebounding prowess” – no way. Just because he’s big (but he is certainly not 6-9, typical exaggeration in basketball) doesn’t mean he rebounds well. He hardly goes to the basket except for open lay ups. He still looks scared to play in traffic. His teammate Tremaine was the big rebounder and he’s at least 3 or 4 inches shorter.
#3 jaybrown on Tue, 28th Jul 2009 12:16 am
i agree he can be at weak at time but, if he keeps working on his game and puts on weight then he’ll be a much better
#4 Coach Barnett on Fri, 1st Jan 2010 2:41 pm
He needs to play and attend schooln the states, have him contact me at 919-519-2654 i will get him a great prep school.
#5 Coach Barnett on Fri, 1st Jan 2010 2:42 pm
Most likely he needs to be coached and help on post moves, also weight program,,,,