LAS VEGAS >> Stefan Jankovic has been on the move since childhood, when his family uprooted from Belgrade for a better life in Canada, and every stop has been a major adjustment.
Well, almost every stop.
“Not Hawaii,” he said with a big smile. “The people of Hawaii are amazing. They talk about aloha love, and you really feel it. They accept you, especially when you play for the university.
“Switching schools is always an adjustment, but Hawaii just felt easy. It was very welcoming. You walk around and people recognize you and they’re so friendly to you. I felt comfortable right away.”
Jankovic transferred to the University of Hawaii after two rocky seasons at Missouri, and it might have been the smartest decision of his career. He caught the Miami Heat’s attention during last season’s NCAA tournament run and showed them enough in NBA summer league to earn a non-guaranteed contract for training camp.
The 6-foot-11, 234-pound rookie has averaged 5.4 points and two rebounds per game between the Orlando and Las Vegas leagues while battling a groin injury for most of it. He opened summer play by hitting the Clippers with 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting.
While his summer numbers haven’t been spectacular, the Heat like his potential and gave him a shot at making their roster in September.
“Stefan is an interesting talent,” said Miami assistant Juwan Howard, who oversees the summer team. “For his height, the kid knows how to shoot the basketball… and he’s shown we can throw the ball into him in the post by making a move and scoring.
“Defensively, he can get a lot better. As he spends more time with us, we’ll instill the Miami Heat culture in him.”
Jankovic was elated to sign his contract Wednesday and reflected on everything he endured to reach that goal. There was no more important step in his journey than his time in Honolulu.
He averaged 10.6 points and 4.9 rebounds as a sophomore, then upped it to 15.6 and 6.6 under coach Eran Ganot last season. He helped the Rainbow Warriors go 28-6 and win the first NCAA Tournament game in program history.
“It was an unbelievable run for this program and this state, and he was a huge part of that,” Ganot said. “He’s someone you root for and someone you love to be around.
“He’s moved around a lot, but he’s constantly improved, and that tells you he put in a lot of work. That’s why I think his story’s so great. Everywhere he’s gone, he’s gotten better, and he’s still got room to improve.”
Jankovic’s next challenge is monumental. The Heat currently have 16 players on their roster and likely will carry 20 going into training camp in September. They must cut it to 15 before opening night, and Jankovic faces heavy competition to earn a spot.
Miami is planning to have Chris Bosh and Justise Winslow starting at forward, with veterans Josh McRoberts, Udonis Haslem, Derrick Williams, Luke Babbitt, James Johnson and Willie Reed all vying for playing time behind them.
If Jankovic doesn’t make the cut, the Heat will try to keep him in their system on a contract with their D-League affiliate in Sioux Falls, S.D. While he believes he can win a job in training camp, he’s prepared for whatever route he has to take.
“I appreciate that they see something in me and all I can say is I’m going to work my hardest,” he said. “This is a dream that I want to come true, and I’m closer, but I realize I have a lot of work left to do. There’s so much improvement ahead for me, and I embrace that.”
