From Belgrade for basketball

The Dalhousie Tigers women’s basketball team has found an elite young point guard.

First-year point guard Simona Matic has settled into Dal quickly. Coaches and teammates have welcomed her work ethic and dedication.

Through 16 games, Matic averages 8.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game this season. Hailing from Belgrade, Serbia, Matic drastically changed her life by moving to Halifax.

“The day I arrived in Halifax, coach came to the airport to greet me, and the girls called me. I met the girls, and we started practicing. Everybody told me if I need something, if I need a ride or if I feel lonely, they’ll be there for me,” says Matic. “They were so welcoming.”

Second-year guard Sydney Guker-Wickie was instrumental in welcoming Matic when she arrived in Canada.

“She's the one who is helping me, and I can tell her everything. We're practicing together, she's driving me a lot, and we're spending a lot of time together,” says Matic. “It’s nice to feel so supported.”

Before leaving Serbia, Matic played for KK Crvena zvezda from the age of 10, one of the country's club teams.

“It was really fun, and I think in Serbia and Europe in general, we have really good coaches,” says Matic. “It's different how they teach us there to how kids learn here. I think that's a plus for me and gives me an advantage.”

After playing in Europe her whole life, Matic moved to New York, where she attended the New York Military Academy.

Moving to New York was a significant change for Matic as she had to improve her English. She had teammates who were Serbian, helping her feel more comfortable making such a major move. 

Arriving at Dal, Matic's journey to Canada is well respected by teammates.

“She's a brave soul because not a lot of people will come to a new country by themselves with their first language not being English,” says fourth-year guard Eva Widmeyer. “I think she's already made a huge impact on our team, and she’ll continue to do so.”

The hard work Matic brings to the court has translated off of it.

“She works so hard at everything she does,” says head coach Tanya McKay. She’s an A+ student at an English-speaking university. I’m incredibly impressed.”

Coming from a different basketball background, Matic brings a different approach to the Tigers. Her Canadian teammates feel Matic's unique style from her experiences in Europe.

“She grew up playing a different kind of basketball than most of us,” says Guker-Wickie. “She plays freely and not fully within a system. She's not afraid to throw the hard pass or make the tough shot. She's very loose and free when she plays.”

Matic’s hard work immediately stood out to McKay when recruiting her. She pushes herself in each practice and training session.

“She always works hard, and you knew her game was going to grow because of that,” says McKay. “She loves her teammates, and she's a wonderful kid to coach.”

Already established as a primary ballhandler, Matic gained the trust of her coaching staff early in her U SPORTS career.

“It’s really helpful to have my coach by my side, and I can always count on her or talk with her if I have a problem,” says Matic.

The point guard is sixth in the AUS in assists and 27th in the nation. Her coaches and teammates rave about her ability to read ball screens. 

“With rookies, mistakes are inevitable, but Simona is always willing to try things again and improve her game,” says Guker-Wickie. “She never gives up on what she wants, and she goes and gets it, whether it's a bucket, a steal or a loose ball on the floor. She's always willing to put herself and her body on the line for the team.”

“Simona's potential is very high. She has a great basketball IQ, and with more experience in the league, I can see her being one of the best point guards in the country.”

Matic, although a rookie, is not shy of being aggressive. She attacks the rim and seeks contact, making her 14th in free throw attempts in the conference, shooting 87.2 per cent from the line, good for fourth in the AUS. 

Matic’s breakout game came against the Acadia Axewomen in Acadia. The guard popped off for 21 points and six assists in 27 minutes of play. Sixteen of Matic’s points came in the second half.

“I'm always playing with my heart, and I always give my best,” says Matic.

Against the U SPORTS ninth-ranked SMU Huskies on Jan. 6, Matic dropped 11 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in an 84-73 loss.

“These are the type of people you want on your team because they're going to make you better every practice that you're guarding them,” says Widmeyer. 

Matic and her Tigers teammates travel to PEI this weekend to battle the Panthers. You can catch them in action on AUStv on Saturday starting at 6pm.