Sergej Raknovic is a junior at St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy in Boalsburg and has loved to play the game of basketball since he was very young.
Raknovic is from the Eastern European country of Bosnia. As a member of the Rotary Youth Exchange program, he is enjoying his time here in the United States as a student and an athlete.
“School is a little easier in some ways here than it is in Bosnia. I would have 15 subjects at a time in Bosnia,” Raknovic said.
When Raknovic arrived in the United States in the summer of 2017, he hoped to develop his basketball skills. His all-time favorite player, Derrick Rose, a product of Chicago and currently with the Cleveland Cavaliers, inspired him to play the game. Raknovic wears a “1” on his jersey because of Rose.
Raknovic sank the game-winning shot Jan. 15 during a St. Joe’s junior varsity game. He propelled the Wolves to a 37-36 win against Phillipsburg-Osceola. But, one thing he has had to adjust to is the absence of a shot clock. In Pennsylvania basketball, there is no such thing.
“That was really confusing to me, because I am used to having 24 seconds for each possession,” he said. “The games here are not as fast due to that.”
Raknovic also said basketball is a little more aggressive here than he what he is used to playing in Bosnia. The European style of basketball consists of taller guards and fewer post players.
With the help of the coaches at St. Joe’s and teammates, Radnovic has grasped a solid understanding of basketball and culture in this country. He said the coaches have helped him understand the game much better than how he knew it before his visit.
“They’re all great coaches,” he said. “I really enjoy playing for all of them.”
Rakanovic plays on both the St. Joseph’s junior varsity and varsity team. The varsity team is off to a solid start to its season, owning a 13-4 record.
Rakanovic will return home to Bosnia after the school year ends in June.
