Mitrovic signed

In the first video that is linked on her twitter, she challenges and blocks a shot behind her. As others have mentioned in this one she shows good defensive quickness that she uses to challenge shots away from her position. She looks much better than she appeared on the older highlight video that someone posted. As others have mentioned we have still to see how she runs the floor. Jo actually ran the floor pretty well and was never the last beaver back on defense.

I don't see feeding the post players as big of a problem as this year. Kat was good at feeding the post her Soph season. And I believe with Aquino and Kennedy on the floor they will make a big difference in that respect. Their height will make it very difficult for the defenders to cut off their passing lanes. They, unlike the guards are not passing up but straight across.

I also believe that we have seen the last of small ball except for very few and far between situations. I have yet to see Jones play, but I would assume she is relatively quick, can run the floor, play good defense and also has a decent to a good offensive game. There are far too many taller options at the five who are also offensive threats, along with being mobile enough to not become a defensive liability in man to man. Just from what I have seen Aquino, Kennedy, already present better options as the small ball 5 and we still haven't seen what Jones can do. PM with one season under her belt and her level of athleticism should also be able to play against smaller lineups. Seriously it is not like Maddie, Janessa or Taya are that much quicker or elite defenders. Although Taya has improved this last season. Still they will not gain floor time with their defense. It will have to be with their offense. 

I know people do not want to see older players lose or have to struggle for playing time but the reality is a reality. There are just too many other options at the five to have to play short tweeners out of position. Maddie and Janessa will just have to fight for time at some other spot. There will be enough players contending at the 5 already. Next season the team should be contending for the final four so they need to get the best players on the floor asap.

I hope that's ok for your back.

So much to like about her game.  Check out that smooth stroke from the charity stripe.  If Jalena is a project, it is only her straight line speed that needs work.  She is a very polished player for her age already.  Probably from growing up in a basketball family.

Can't wait to see her in Corvallis!

BTW, these videos are pretty hard to watch.  BAD basketball makes it hard to really evaluate Jalena in any meaningful way.  She really dogs it up and down the floor, but then the run of play doesn't require much more, so....

The early clips that I saw of her I was impressed by her passing.  I was impressed watching a bit of these games with her ability to get contested rebounds and catches in traffic.  That was something Jo really struggled with and early returns here indicate this might be a strength of Jelena's. 

I had posted this about that game back in Feb:
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FIBA U18 European Women’s Championship - Serbia v Spain
This link provides both the full game as well as a box score for Jelena’s game vs. Spain this past summer. Serbia won 58-47 in what was considered an upset. Spain’s bigs are headed to Utah and Ohio State, so the competition was future power 5 level. The Ute, #12 in the game, was Aquino’s former teammate at Ribet.

Jelena played 31 minutes and had 11 points (5-11 FG, 0-1 3FG, 1-2 FT) and 17 rebounds. Her team was +22 with her in the game and -11 with her out. That is a very impressive stat as well as her efficiency rate of 20. The worse stat is the 5 TO.

She seems fairly mobile, but struggles to get up and down the court. I think she may be less of a project than Trish. Conditioning will be key. She can become very, very good.
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For those who just want to skim through the game and see some of Jelena - here are some times (via play by play):

Key: TO - Turnover, DReb - Defensive Rebound, OReb - Offensive Rebound, Off. Foul - Offensive Foul, 2FGM - 2 pointer made, 2FGA - 2 pointer missed, OUT - subbed out, IN - subbed in.

Q1
8:39 - TO
8:11 - DReb
7:39 - TO
6:40 - Off. Foul
4:28 - DReb
4:04 - 2FGM
2:59 - OUT

Q2
7:04 - IN
6:47 - Steal
6:20 - Foul drawn
5:58 - DReb
5:44 - 2FGM (Impressive hands)
4:48 - DReb
4:17 - Blk
4:10 - DReb
3:05 - DReb
2:52 - 2FGA
1:32 - OReb
1:31 - 2FGM
0:53 - Blk
0:41 - DReb
0:30 - TO

Q3
9:06 - FGA
8:57 - FGA
8:36 - DReb
8:33 - Foul drawn
8:14 - OReb
8:13 - 2FGM
5:36 - DReb
4:19 - Dreb
4:06 - Ast
3:07 - 2FGM (Wild shot!)
2:50 - OReb
1:45 - OUT

Q4
10:00 - IN
8:13 - 2FGA
8:02 - 3FGA
5:32 - DReb
4:21 - PF
3:32 - OReb
3:32 - Foul Drawn
3:32 - FTA
3:32 - FTM
2:57 - DReb
2:41 - Dreb
2:41 - TO
1:46 - 2FGA
1:08 - OUT

Based off her one tweet, I would assume she is going to be playing in some kind of competition this summer representing Serbia. Serbia did not qualify for the U19 World Cup, so I’m not sure what event she will be taking place in.

When does practice start for Italy?  Just curious.  Seems like she should be on campus as soon as she can, she can at least practice with the girls without coaches.