Kansas University women’s basketball coach Bonnie Henrickson had the attention of 16,000 basketball fans, and she had a microphone in her hand. She made it quick, got right to the point and set the bar as high as it can be set.
“I’d just like to share with you what a pleasure it is to coach at the best university in America for basketball,” Henrickson told the audience. “We need you. We’ve got over 16,000 reasons to win the national championship with your help. We want a men’s and women’s championship in the same year.”
She knew her audience, and she made some friends. But if she builds it, will they come?
“Absolutely,” Henrickson said after the men’s team concluded Late Night in the Phog festivities with a scrimmage. “Without a question. The people here understand the game, and they respect the game. If we can get great players, they will come to see them play. And I really think it helps that our games are on TV. If you’re a little bit skeptical, watch a game on TV, and if you like what you see, come out and see us play.”
Henrickson didn’t back down from the strong words she spoke to the crowd.
“We’re not afraid to talk that way,” she said and referenced the reigning national champion. “Baylor doing it so quickly lends credibility to it. But I didn’t say it’s going to happen overnight.”
Most in the audience Friday night came out to catch a first glimpse of the four freshmen on the men’s team. Those paying close attention were treated to a nice bonus. They were able to watch a fifth freshman playing in a fundamental way that would have made Phog Allen proud.
Her name is Ivana Catic, and she is a 5-foot-8 point guard from Zrenjanin, Serbia & Montenegro. She went to school last year in West Virginia and made her campus visit during Late Night a year ago, a night in which she “was so excited she almost couldn’t breathe,” according to Henrickson.
She introduces herself with a warm smile and a firm handshake and speaks with an accent, yet with excellent grammar. On the court, Catic doesn’t wait for the action to come to her. She sets the pace and forever is doing something purposeful. She passes and cuts in a way that suggests she gets her kicks out of passing and cutting.
She showcases that radar that enables her to be in the right place to get more rebounds than a player her size who plays her position is supposed to get. And she has range on her sound jumper.
In helping the Crimson team defeat the Blue team, 17-8, Catic totaled five points and three rebounds. She made her only three-point attempt.
And it was evident she had a blast.
Catic’s favorite basketball player?
“Michael Jordan,” Catic said. “Everything about him just fascinates me.”
She also mentioned Allen Iverson, somewhat surprising considering he has a wild streak to his game and she doesn’t.
“I don’t think the wildness is what this team needs,” Catic said. “This team needs aggressiveness.”
And she provides it.
Henrickson visited her at school last year at the end of a two-week recruiting trip. She was exhausted, but she gave herself a quick pep talk and was ready to meet the player with enthusiasm.
“I walked in there, and Ivana just lit up the room with her energy,” Henrickson said. “I was thinking, ‘Wait a minute. That’s supposed to be my job.’ She has such great energy.”
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