MOBILE, Ala. - Former South Alabama women's basketball player Jessica Starling - who was a member of the Jaguar squad from 2006 to 2009 - began her professional career earlier this year and for the last few months has been making the most of her opportunity playing for Jedinstvo in Tuzla, Bosnia.
Starling arrived in Bosnia on Feb. 10th where she made an immediate impact for Jedinstvo, recording 15 and 20 points in her first two games of action. In her third game, Starling again reached the 20 point mark, this time in just a little over three quarters of action, where her team cruised to a 50-point victory and improved to 3-0 since her arrival.
During the Cup Games held back during the first weekend of March, Starling continued to shine and helped Jedinstvo capture the Cup Championship. During the two-game tournament, the former Jag averaged 23.5 points. So far this season, Starling is averaging 18.2 points per outing, while pulling down five rebounds per contest. She has also been outstanding at distributing the ball to her teammates, as she is dishing out just under six assists per game.
One adjustment outside of basketball that Starling has had to get acclimated to is that of a new culture and a new and unfamiliar language. One person that has helped ease that transition is a fellow American on the team. Katie Johnson - a Dallas, Texas native who played at Furman University - hasn't had much time over in Bosnia herself, as she signed with the club just a month prior to Starling. The two are the only Americans on the Jedinstvo roster and have helped each other adapt to the new surroundings.
"It's hard making the adjustment of the language barrier, but having another American has made it a lot easier for me," Starling said of transitioning to a new culture. "Our coach makes some of the players translate the conversation, so that helps. The team does not speak great English, but it is better than no English at all. We also have a new player from Russia who speaks great English, so she has also helped."
Despite having to make adjustments, the experience for Starling has been a positive one.
"It has been a great experience playing overseas," Starling said. "I am learning their language and their culture. I've enjoyed my time here because the city of Tuzla has welcomed both Kate and I with open arms. This experience has truly helped me grow as an individual. The food here is great and the cost of living is much cheaper than that of the states. Also, playing overseas has made me more aware of the many blessings we have back home."
This past weekend, Jedinstvo began its play in the championship bracket, unfortunately with a four-point loss. Over the next five weekends, each team in the four-team league will play each other twice - once at home and once on the road. Following the conclusion of those contests, the team with the best record at the end of the tournament will be crowned league champion. Games are only played on Saturdays and are scheduled to run through May 8.
After beginning her collegiate career at the University of Michigan, the Tallahassee, Fla., native transferred to South Alabama prior to the start of the 2006-07 season. After sitting out that year due to NCAA transfer rules, Starling competed in 31 games for the Jags, averaging 4.9 points per game and 2.9 rebounds per contest in 17.3 minutes of action off the bench. As a senior, Starling moved into the starting line up - starting 31 of USA's 32 games - where she flourished and led the Jags in scoring with 14.9 ppg and earned second team all- Sun Belt honors. Along with Shakira Nettles, the duo became one of the most dangerous tandems in the Sun Belt from beyond the arc that same season and helped the Jags hit a school-record 239 three-pointers and hit the 20-win plateau for the second-straight year. Starling also made history herself as she set a new single-season mark in treys with 77 - eclipsing the previous mark of 76 set by Joi Gopher during the 2001-02 season.
-- USA --
