This article is brought to you by Allan Bush at CIBC Wood Gundy Waterloo
Silvana Jez graduated from the Tri-County JUEL program in 2011 and is currently to competing for Ryerson University while studying public health. Silvana has already contributed four years to their women basketball program and was a team captian as they held a 16-3 record in 2015, reestablishing the best record at Ryerson, and most consecutive wins in a row.
From there they made it to the final four and later lost to the 5 time champs, Windsor, in the OUA finals for a Silver medal finish, defeated by Windsor’s full court presence.
At nationals, the women’s Ryerson team finished in 6th place and will be noted as Silvana’s season’s highlight.
Silvana was awarded for her leadership skills, hard work, and overall improvement made from last seasons to this year’s accomplishments.
The following interview with Silvana outlines some details of her continued Ryerson women’s basketball career. The Tri-County program is excited to celebrate with yet another one of their talented alumni.
What was the highlight of your season?
The biggest highlight of the season was getting an opportunity to participate at Nationals. This was an incredible accomplishment for the whole team, which showed that all the hard work we put in through the season truly paid off.
We made history, and wrote our story, which will forever be remembered. It was a tremendous experience, and a stepping-stone as well as a great outlook for the future of the team.
What was most challenging about this season?
If there was one thing I would have to say that was most challenging about this season it was having to balance school work, basketball and work.
In my fourth year now, the school load really increases and at times it was very difficult to stay on top of things, so I would fall behind. There were many sleepless nights, but it was all worth it. I would just get back up, and work my way through it until I was satisfied with the results.
How did the Tri-County Thunder prepare you for post-secondary play?
I was a part of KW lightning since grade 9. Being on a rep team was a great experience, especially Tri-County Thunder because the program is filled with good competition, talent, skill and coaching staff.
Tri-County Thunder has certainly helped me develop as a player in every aspect. The coaching staff were extremely helpful and provided me with the guidance and belief I needed in order to be the player I am now. Allan Bush and Bob Urosevic had to deal with me for many years, but I was truly blessed because not for one second did they doubt me.
They have provided me with plenty of opportunities and if it wasn’t for their belief and determination in my potential, I would have not gone this far in my basketball career.
With their help for the 4 years I have played, my talent was noted by my first University coach Charles Kissi, who is a person and mentor I look up too. He had extended my basketball career even further beyond high school and he is someone I will always appreciate.
How would you describe Ryerson’s Women’s Basketball program?
In the recent years we were able to make the Women’s Basketball Program into something unforgettable. The culture we were able to build has really earned us more respect and acknowledgment from all over the city.
Aside from the basketball aspect of things, we really value community work, giving back and being great role models. As a team we do a lot of community activities which inquire going to schools and doing basketball camps, as well as other initiatives which help others out.
The future of this team is definitely making its way up the scale, and will bring lots of success to the Program.
What has competing in post-secondary play taught you about yourself?
Being a part of a basketball team in University is a blessing. It has helped me in many aspects of my life and has taught me things that I didn’t even expect.
I have learned how to prioritize my time and balance many things all at once such as basketball, school and work. This was a lot of pressure on me, but with time I was able to work through it and figure out how to accommodate everything.
It taught me that things will never be handed to you, you always have to go get it and earn it yourself. It truly is a reward and life learning experience being a part of team.
What are your goals for next year?
I have one more year left of eligibility. My goals is to build on where we left off and get a championship ring next year as well as make it to nationals again. Now that I know what this team is capable of it is important that we do not settle and keep working even harder this summer in order to be at the level we want to be.
My goal is to further improve my game this summer and become an even bigger threat down low and of course, keep my jump shot. After next year, I would love to play overseas if I have the chance, but that is yet to be determined.
I would love to shout out each and every person on my team who has made this year a complete success. All of their hard work and determination has made this season into something unforgettable.
Coaching staff were tremendous and without their consistent hard work and determination in us, we wouldn’t have made it this far.
Lastly, I would like to acknowledge my Dad, Rade Jez and my sister, Nevena Ilic who have listened to me and my complaints when things were not going the right way. Without their consistent support, belief and feedback I wouldn’t have been as impactful to this team this year as I was
