Born in Cyprus to Serbian parents, she grew up around the game of basketball. At age 23 now, she is getting ready for her first Final Four and reflects on this experience
“I am overjoyed to take part in a women’s Euroleague Final Four, it’s such a novel experience for me. Competing with players that are among the best in the world is something I was dreaming of since I was a child” notes Raca.
The 1.88cm forward has already amassed an impressive list of accomplishments in her so far short career, covering both individual honors and team success. Hailing from a basketball family, picking up the sport felt like a foregone conclusion early on. She emerged as a prospect in Cyprus with AEL, before spending her highschool years in Greece, playing for PAOK and Proteas Voulas. Next stop, the United States and the illustrious Wake Forest University. Raca spent 4 years at Chris Paul’s alma mater, finishing her career in the school’s top-10 for both points and rebounds.
Beyond her accomplishments on a club level, Raca has captured silverware on the international level. She led Serbia to second place finishes in consecutive youth tournaments, the Under-18 World Championship in 2017 and the Under-20 Eurobasket the following year. In the latter, the Fenerbahce star dazzled (16.7 points, 6.7 rebounds), being named in the best five of the tournament and capturing the fan vote MVP award.
Her collegiate and international accomplishments naturally brought in interest from the WNBA and she was selected by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2021 draft. In June of the same year she decided to sign with Italian power GEAS Basket, before moving to European giants Fenerbahçe a year after. For her move to Fenerbahçe she adds: “I am grateful to be a part of Fener, a team that has shaped European women’s basketball for many years”.
The Turkish club is regarded as the competition’s favorite this year, aiming to reach the final for the fifth straight year, after reaching the Final Four in 9 out of the last 11 competitions. It won’t be easy, as many around the club know; Fener has been on the losing side for each of the last four finals. Raca is confident that this is Fenerbahçe’s year: “We are ready for the game against Schio, we will give our best to win and reach the final”.
How much 💛💙 for Fenerbahce? 📸💭 #EuroLeagueWomen pic.twitter.com/Dt7frhxCuV
— EuroLeague Women (@EuroLeagueWomen) April 13, 2023
In pursuit of the elusive silverware, Fener comes armed with impressive starpower, straight from the WNBA. Two-time WNBA MVP and champion Breanna Stewart headlines the group, joined by All-Stars Kayla McBride, Courtney Vandersloot and Satou Sabally. This star-studded lineup is joined of course by Alina Iagupova, Euroleague’s two-time MVP (2020,2021), and Raca. The latter raves about her teammates: “I am very grateful for the opportunity to meet, train and play with some of the best players in the world, through Fenerbahçe. My teammates’ advice and experience help me learn and get better every day. Squaring off against players like that in training can only make competitive games that much easier.”
In the upcoming game, however, Raca will find herself opposed to a figure well-known to Greek fans. Tzortzis Dikaioulakos, one of the top Greek women’s basketball coaches, will lead Schio against Fenerbahçe, a team that he led twice to a Final Four. Raca spoke glowingly about him: “Coach Dikaioulakos is a very good coach, and he has proven it repeatedly. I was honored to compete against him last year, when I was playing in the Italian League, and I am happy to have the same opportunity this year.
While the Euroleague Final Four is monopolizing Raca’s attention for the moment, the 23-year old star has not forgotten about the American dream. She adds: “Yes, returning to the United States for the WNBA is in the back of my mind. I was drafted after my last year in college and I still have the opportunity to pursue this path. “
