Aarykah Navarro/ THE RIDER
Filip Brankovic, a multidisciplinary studies junior from Indjija, Serbia, is a forward for the UTRGV Men’s Basketball Team. Brankovic scored 19 points for the Vaqueros in the game against Northwestern State University on Jan. 12.
Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: “Maybe that I play really good ping-pong, table tennis.”
Q: Who got you into basketball?
A: “My father and my older brother. We started training when I was 6 or 7 years old and, because of that, I’ve been doing basketball since.”
Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration/role model?
A: “Maybe now, it’s for sure Nikola Jokic. I mean, he is the best Serbian player ever. I want to play like him … some day.”
Q: Who is your favorite basketball player?
A: “When I was younger, it was Russell Westbrook. But now, it’s Nikola Jokić.”
Q: What kind of music do you listen to?
A: “I listen to only Serbian music, only my domestic songs.”
Q: What shows/movies do you like to watch?
A: “I’m not really a TV/movie guy but, if I had to choose, I’d go watch the new ‘Avatar.’”
Q: What do you like most about UTRGV?
A: “I really like this weather here. It’s definitely different from Serbia. And I mean, people, food and everything is great. So, I really like it here.”
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
A: “I don’t really have any hobbies outside of basketball besides playing ping-pong and video games with friends.”
Q: What other sports do you like to play?
A: “I first started by playing soccer as goalkeeper, but I realized it wasn’t for me and transitioned to basketball.”
Q: What are your biggest goals?
A: “My biggest goal is definitely to continue basketball, if I can, and also to eventually have a family and be a good father to two kids.”
—Compiled by Aarykah Navarro
