While most of UConn’s roster arrived in Storrs for the start of summer workouts in early June, freshman guard Jovana Popovic had to wait. She didn’t make it to campus until June 10, which put her a little more than a week behind schedule.

Despite the delay, Popovic made an immediate impression on her new teammates. Every year at the start of summer workouts and the fall semester, players have to pass the “three-minute drill”, an endurance test that requires them to run the length of the court at least 25 times in the span of three minutes. It’s hard for everybody, but it’s especially challenging for newcomers who have never done it before.

Popovic beat it on her initial attempt.

“That's so special that she was able to get the first try,” Ashlynn Shade said.

Since then, the freshman guard has been getting a crash course in not just life at UConn, but the American style of play. Back in her native Serbia, she played at a much slower, more deliberate pace, so she could catch her breath during the run of play. With the Huskies, she’s constantly on the move.

“European and American basketball is so different,” Popovic said. “Here is more running, more athleticism. It’s great.”

Popovic isn’t complaining. That intensity is a major reason she wanted to come play college basketball. Popovic built an impressive resume in Serbia’s First League, leading ZKK Art Basket to its first-ever championship in 2022-23 while taking home MVP and Best Shooter honors the following season.

But considering she did all that before her 17th birthday, Popovic needed a new challenge. That’s where UConn comes in.