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FLAMES NOTEBOOK: Stefanov: Big man, soccer fan
(as published in Whoosh! magazine Nov. 13, 2006)
Flames senior forward Jovan Stefanov is a UIC soccer fan in his spare time. That big guy with the short hair is none other than senior men’s basketball standout Jovan Stefanov, who helped lead the cheers for the nationally-ranked UIC soccer team at numerous games this season.
“When I was growing up [in Serbia], I went to a lot of soccer games,” Stefanov said. “The singing and chanting was part of it. You go to part of the stadium where the crazy fans are and you sing. Now it’s just fun to do that here.”
Stefanov is not alone, his fellow Serbian, 6-foot-9 redshirt freshman Jovan Ignjatovic is also there as a fellow ringleader.
“Iggy knows [goalkeeper] Jovan Bubonja from high school [in Belgrade].” Stefanov said.
With the support of the Serbian basketball contingent and many members of the Fury, the Flames earned an at-large berth to the NCAA tournament.
While he didn’t play organized soccer growing up, Stefanov would play for fun. He likes to attend the soccer matches, along with baseball and softball games and gymnastics meets, because he believes it helps to have the athletes support the other athletes.
“If we support other teams, they’ll come support us,” Stefanov said.
Stefanov is a sports fan and supports many of the other teams at UIC. He will be called upon to support his teammates this season as a fifth-year senior leader.
“If we aren’t playing hard or playing good defense, it’s my job to let people know,” Stefanov said. “I have to lead by example. If I’m just talking and not doing it, nothing makes sense.”
He is the only player left the 2004 NCAA tournament team that played against Kansas.
“Jovan is going to be a leader in the sense that he knows what to expect,” UIC coach Jimmy Collins said. “He knows what we want to do. He’s a team player. It’s the way he knows how to play. He does everything possible in order to win.”
Collins can say no wrong about Stefanov, who is probably one of the best “team-first players” in UIC history. He averaged 8.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game as a junior.
“I wish I had 15 Jovan Stefanovs,” Collins said. “Jovan has such a great attitude.”
Collins said he was really proud of Stefanov when he embraced the role of guarding the opponent’s primary ball-handler at the top of the Flames’ zone pressure defense last season.
“Jovan loved it,” Collins said. “One of the keys in developing a team and getting them to play well together is putting guys in spots where they really like. He took pride in that position.”
Stefanov is confident in this year’s team and the chances of a Horizon League championship. He thinks that the fourth-place projection in the preseason poll is underestimating the Flames.
“I believe we can do much better than that,” Stefanov said. “I’m the most excited right now in my five years of being here. This team looks the best, the atmosphere, the chemistry is the best I’ve seen.”
Part of the reason for Stefanov’s positive feelings is that he believes the team will be more consistent from start to finish.
“We have to be more consistent if we want to do something serious this year,” he said. “There won’t be games where we slack off because the opponent isn’t as attractive, like Big Ten or ACC.”
LOWE RETURNS TO SUPPORT STAFF
Bryant Lowe (right) has returned to the Flames’ sidelines as director of basketball. Here he poses with former teammate Mark Miller. Lowe’s winning experience and ability to relate with the young players will provide Collins a valuable asset on the sidelines.
“It’s a privilege to come back,” Lowe said. “We did some special things here. I’m trying to help the guys, because I’ve been there and done that. I’ve been in Coach Collins’ system. I know what it takes to succeed, so I want to share my experiences with these guys.”
Lowe was Second-Team All-MCC in 1997 and First-Team in 1998. He averaged 15.1 points and 8.7 rebounds as a senior to lead the Flames to a 22-6 record and an at-large berth to the NCAA tournament.
“I’m elated to have Bryant back in the program,” Collins said. “His years at UIC were special, and we are confident he will do a great job in this position.”
WE KNOW WHAT THEY DID
The Flames made some big news over the summer. Here’s a quick rundown:
All-time leading scorer Cedrick Banks (2001-05) earned a spot on the Chicago Bulls summer league roster and now plays for Nancy, the top Pro-A team in France.
Former forward Justin Bowen (2003-06) also played with the Bulls this summer and was drafted by the Austin Toros of the NBA Developmental League.
The Flames were bolstered by an incoming transfer, Jeremy Buttell of Texas Tech. The 6-foot-7 forward left Lubbock, Texas after his freshman year and will be eligible next season. Buttell plans on pitching with the UIC baseball team next spring.
Former sharpshooter Aaron Carr (2000-04) had an extended tryout with the Chicago Rockstars, an ABA expansion franchise. Unfortunately, he did not make the cut.
Former walk-on Corry Tibbs (2000-03) also tried out for the Rockstars. He was one of the team’s final cuts.
Former forward Armond Williams (2001-05) will be playing for AB Contern in Luxembourg, while one-time swingman Mike King (1995-97) will compete this season for Componenta Karkkila in Finland.
Ex-Flames star guard Kenny Williams (1990-94) is the head coach of the Rockstars. He is still the second on UIC’s all-time scoring list.
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