University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Signs Jovana Popovic to 2026 Freshman Class
11/20/2025 1:47:00 PM | Women's Basketball
STORRS, Conn. – UConn women's basketball head coach Geno Auriemma announced the signing of Jovana Popovic to the Class of 2026 Thursday.
Popovic is a 5-foot-8 native of Vrbas, Serbia. She will be the first UConn player from Serbia.
"Jovana is a high-level guard with a lot of experience," Auriemma said. "She can handle the ball, she's a playmaker, she can score. Jovana is a really nice kid who will fit in great with our team."
Popovic has extensive national team experience for Serbia. She made her Serbian debut at the 2021 FIBA U16 Women's European Challengers. Popovic also competed for the Youth National Team at the 2022 FIBA U16 Women's European Championship Division B, 2023 FIBA U16 Women's European Championship and 2024 and 2025 FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket tournaments.
Popovic was named to the 2024 FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket All-Star 5 after leading Serbia to a bronze medal finish.
Popovic made her Senior National Team debut this year, competing at the 2025 FIBA Women's Eurobasket.
Popovic participated in the 2024 NBA Basketball Without Borders Europe in Malaga, Spain. She was named an All-Star and the girls camp MVP out of 30 participants from 23 European countries.
Popovic plays for ZKK Art Basket in Belgrade in the First League of Serbia. This season, she is averaging 26.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.2 assists through five games.
At 17 years old, Popovic was named the First League's MVP and Best Shooter for the 2024-25 season. She helped lead the club to its first Serbian championship in 2023-24.
Popovic joins Olivia Vukosa, the No. 3-ranked recruit, in UConn's 2026 signing class. Popovic and Vukosa participated in the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Ore., on April 12, 2025, on the World Team vs. Team USA.
Pronunciation: yo-vah-na PAH-poh-vich
