By Marcus Uhe
“She possesses a lot of weapons.”
Dean Kinsman knows what it takes to make it to the elite level.
Currently the Head Basketball Coach of Rowville Secondary College’s Rowville Sports Academy, Mr Kinsman represented the Adelaide 36ers in the NBL during the 1980s and has been involved in coaching at various levels, including the Australian Institute of Sport.
He’s overseen the development of many protégés over the years, but current student Emilija Dakic has him excited.
And rightly so; Ms Dakic will achieve a lifelong dream in Guam next month when she dons the green and gold for her country at the Under 15 FIBA Oceania Basketball Tournament.
“You always think that’s the major goal (playing for Australia) every time you go into the gym or onto the court,” Ms Dakic said.
“It’s just where you want to get to and I think it’s amazing to have that opportunity and the people around you to be able to do that, it’s such a privilege.”
Ms Dakic’s love of basketball began at the Narre Magic Basketball Club as a seven-year-old and was strengthened through fiercely competitive games in the backyard with her siblings Marko, Danika and Ava, under the watchful eye of her step-father, Damien Mizzi.
Playing the role of floor-general, a lot is asked of her on the offensive end. But it’s her tenacity without the ball that stand-outs on the court, according to Mr Kinsman.
“She was the captain of the Vic Metro and she stood out with her elite capabilities, defensively in particular,” Mr Kinsman said.
“Her court coverage and her speed is elite, and that held her in good stead to be picked in this team.
“She’s a great distributor, great decision maker, knows how to get people the ball at the right time, and plays with the right tempo.”
Ms Dakic likens her style of game to Australian and Brooklyn Nets point guard Patty Mills and Portland Trailblazers six-time NBA All-star Damian Lillard, while her Serbian background draws her eyes towards Denver Nuggets Serbian Superstar and back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
“I like the way they (Lillard and Mills) come off screens and their ability to create for other people,” she said.
“I like to play a quick but composed match; set up the plays, call the shots, and I love the defensive side of the game.”
Unsurprisingly, all three of those players listed are highly regarded leaders within their respective basketball programs.
No Aussie basketball fan will forget watching Mills lead the Boomers to their historic Bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, capped by a 42-point performance as they overcame Slovenia to clinch their first Olympic medal.
Similarly, Jokic and Lillard have transformed their respective teams from underperforming mid-table sides in the NBA’s cut-throat Western Conference, to perennial playoff participants and championship contenders.
Steering the ship as her team’s primary ball-handler, she said she admires Jokic’s approach to supporting his teammates.
“I think your team has to be like your family, you have each other’s back all the time and I think that’s what he does very well.”
It’s her attitude towards the game that has Mr Kinsman seeing her enjoying a long and successful career on the hardwood.
“Emelija’s really well grounded and mature for her age and I think that leadership comes through when she plays that position on the court, which is really critical.
“She has a lot of empathy for people and that comes out in that point guard position, because you’re that controlling player on the floor, distributing the ball and organising the group. I think to feed off your point guard, you need a good relationship with each other.
“She definitely has the maturity, mindset and the work ethic needed.”
Regardless of her achievements later in her career, the Dakic name will go down in folklore at the Cavs, as she has become the first Casey Basketball Association representative to be selected for the national team.
While her fierce loyalty to the Cavs will remain, she has her sights set on a professional career overseas.
“I want to see how far I can go, and keep taking things as they come.
“Basketball teaches you a life lesson for 40 minutes. You can go from being frustrated, to happy, to sad, to having to make decisions and it just brings everyone together, this one game.”
The Under 15 FIBA Oceania Basketball Tournament will run from 21-26 November.
