Dorja Žaja Selected for Inaugural Women's World Select Team At The 2023 Nike Hoop Summit
The London Lions are proud to announce that talented and blossoming Croatian forward Dorja Žaja has been selected for the first-ever Women's World Select Team at the forthcoming 2023 Nike Hoop Summit.
“I was very surprised and happy when I got the invitation. I think it will be a great opportunity for me personally and for my basketball career to participate in a tournament like this.
It is a privilege to be invited to such a tournament among all those great basketball players, and I hope to justify the invitation and my own expectations. I feel very well prepared and ready for whatever comes. I can’t wait to prove myself and show that I belong there, and of course, I will enjoy every second.”
- Dorja Žaja, 6'3" Forward
Earlier this year, Dorja Žaja, currently on loan to Sopron Basket, signed a multi-year deal with the Lions, having spent the earlier part of the season with ZKK Tresnjevka. Due to Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) eligibility rules, Žaja hasn’t been able to suit up for the London Lions. However, this is an ongoing situation that the London Lions, with the support of the Women’s British Basketball League, hope to resolve in the near future.
The 18-year-old forward has thus far compiled a stellar career at U18/U16 national and club levels. Žaja initially caught the attention of her peers and rival coaches at the 2021 FIBA U18 FIBA European Women's Challenger tournament.
Dorja continued her rich vein of form, leading the Croatia U18 women’s team to a 5th-place finish at the 2022 FIBA U18 Women's Division B European Championships. Žaja averaged 14.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game during the tournament and was subsequently named to the All-Star Five.
“As an organisation, we are very proud and happy for Dorja to be granted this incredible opportunity to be a part of the first-ever Women's World Select Team at the upcoming Nike Hoop Summit.
The event will help expose and elevate the women’s game. We are proud that Dorja will be representing the London Lions, the Women’s British Basketball League, as well as British Basketball as a whole. We hope that this will inspire girls across the UK.”
- Vanja Cernivec, London Lions General Manager
The London Lions Basketball club would like to congratulate Dorja Žaja on this amazing achievement and exciting opportunity
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