By Ivy Knapp
For Adriana Radinovic, basketball began simply because of her height, but it quickly became something she truly enjoyed. Now a Deer Creek junior playing forward and center, she’s grown into her role on the court and loves the freedom that comes with her position. “I love being able to move freely,” she said, and that ability has helped her make an impact for her team.
One of Adriana’s proudest moments came last season when her team won the Alva Tournament. The experience showed her what they were capable of when their team came together. She also remembers PCN as the toughest matchup she’s faced. Their strength and physical play challenged her and pushed her to compete at a higher level.
Adriana enjoys everything about game day, but her favorite part is the handshakes before tipoff. Off the court, she loves spending time with her teammates, especially when they’re making TikToks together and just enjoying being around each other.
Her parents have been major influences throughout her basketball journey, and she looks up to players like Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark. Their style of play motivates her to keep improving, especially as she works toward her long-term goal of attacking the rim more aggressively.
In school, Adriana’s favorite class is anatomy with Mrs. Brown. She enjoys learning about the human body. Balancing school, sports, and her personal life can be a lot at times, but Adriana manages it by keeping a set schedule and staying organized. Her pre-game routine is listening to pregame music. That is what gets her locked in and ready to play.
Looking ahead, Adriana wants to play college basketball and continue developing her game at the next level. Beyond basketball, she wants to go to medical school and build a career in the medical field.
Adriana is dedicated, driven, and supported by the people around her. She works hard to grow as both a player and a student, always trying to improve. No matter what challenges come her way, she stays focused on her goals and keeps pushing herself forward in everything she does.
