Cowboys Q&A: Vukovic quickly getting up to speed

The first thing he noticed was the cars.

"So much bigger than in Serbia," he said. "You drive trucks over here. I've never seen them before."

Andrija Vukovic's first four weeks in the United States have been a whirlwind, but Oklahoma State's 6-foot-10 freshman is adapting.

Back home it was stuffed cabbage, but now he has a new favorite.

"American steak," Vukovic said. "I like that."

And then there's this thing called college football Saturdays.

"I'm learning the rules, but I like it," he said. "The hype is good. Everybody comes to the stadium to watch them, and they're fighting for everything. This is crazy for me."

But the biggest change has been the pace.

"The culture is different," he said. "In Serbia, our lives are so slow. Over here, it's – how do you say it? – so fast, you know?"

Vukovic describes himself as fluent in "one and half" languages. He understands English ("I watch Netflix.") far better than he can speak it but knows enough to get his point across.

And when he needs a break from all the new?

"This technology. I'm talking with (my family) three times per day," he said, pointing to his phone. "This is hard for me. I love spending time with them, but I want to play basketball at a higher level."

This isn't the first leap of faith Vukovic and family have taken in pursuit of his basketball dreams.

Vukovic was born in Podgorica, Montenegro, but moved with his parents and younger brother to Belgrade, Serbia in 2018 after receiving an offer to play for his favorite club, Crvena Zvezda ("Red Star" in English).

Red Star is also the country's most-prestigious club, having won each of the last nine national championships while producing a growing list of NBA talent, including 2024 Oklahoma City Thunder draftee Nikola Topic.

For three years Vukovic and Topic formed a deadly pick-and-roll tandem on Red Star's youth development teams.

"I was always at my best playing with him because he's so talented," Vukovic said. "I'm really good friends with him. It's nice that he's close by."

Both players were selected to represent Serbia at the U16 European Championship, but the event was canceled due to COVID-19. Vukovic says his greatest ambition is to one day make the senior national team alongside his basketball hero, Nikola Jokic.

"He's unbelievable," Vukovic said of the three-time NBA MVP. "He's not physical. He plays with his brain. His movement is something special, and I try to bring that to my game."

Vukovic describes that as "versatile" and "team-oriented."

"Every time I play, I give 100 percent," he said. "I can shoot from three, defend, and bring new energy to the team."

The Serbian Basketball League is open to amateurs and professionals alike. Vukovic – who will turn 20 years old in January -- got his first taste at the age of 17 while competing for FMP Beograd. He logged another 22 games with eight starts for KK Vrsac in 2023-24.

"It's tough for a young guy, but I needed to collect experience playing with older players," said Vukovic.

And now he's eager to test himself again in the Big 12 Conference.

"Oklahoma State is a great organization," Vukovic said. "We have everything here. The coaching staff, managers, everyone helps us grow as players. That's important."

He doesn't take any of this new world for granted. Even the little things.

"We have clothes for practice," he said, gently tugging at a dry-fit, OSU-branded t-shirt. "And we don't have to bring our own water from home."

Cowboys Q&A with freshman forward Andrija Vukovic:

What's your favorite type of music?
Pop

Favorite sports other than basketball?
Soccer and tennis. Novak Djokovic is the GOAT for me."

Favorite basketball shoe?
Greek Freaks or Kobes

Who is your favorite basketball player and why is it Nikola Jokic?
I don't choose him because he's from Serbia. I like that type of player. He brings everything to the team. Points, rebounds, assists, everything."

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I watch a lot of TV shows and movies, and I love to read books.

What's your favorite book?
Anna Karenina

What is your most prized possession?
My phone

Favorite apps?
Instagram and Tiktok.

Favorite superhero?
Batman

Favorite animal?
Horse

Oklahoma State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Andrija Vukovic

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