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Richmond player turns in MVP performance at Junior NBA Nationals

Marina Radocaj enjoyed outstanding tourney in St. Catherines as her B.C. team is edged in final by Ontario
Richmond News

Marina Radocaj came ever-so-close to playing in this summer’s Junior NBA World Championship in Florida.

The 6-foot Richmond Youth Basketball League standout guard was aged up to play for VK Basketball’s U14 girls team that represented the west coast at last weekend’s Junior NBA World Championship Canadian Regional Finals in St. Catherine’s, Ontario.

VK made it to the championship game before falling 56-53 to Ontario champions Welland Warriors. Radocaj more than held her own against older opponents, earning tournament MVP honours

The Junior NBA World tourney will feature boys and girls divisions, each comprised of 16 regional champions (eight U.S. teams and eight international teams representing Africa & Middle East, Asia Pacific, Canada, China, Europe, India, Mexico, and South America) that will compete in the inaugural championship in August at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando.

VK punched their ticket to nationals after first winning the right to represent BC – defeating a fellow VK squad in the final – and then prevailing over the Alberta representatives earlier this month in the west coast regional final.

“It has been pretty neat. Their love for the game has grown exponentially, probably over the last two or three years,” explained coach Teena Frost.

The team began as the Poco Galaxy before joining the VK organization prior to this season. With the exception of Radocaj, the other nine girls are headed to Grade 9 at Terry Fox Secondary in September.

Frost and assistant coach Mike Carkner figured their girls would be in for some tough learning lessons.

The team surprised them.

“Our girls are a little bit relentless and they don’t back down from anyone,” Frost added. “They just dig in and compete. They know how to play.”

Back in February, Radocaj helped RYBL’s U13 Renegades capture Basketball B.C.’s Metro League championship, scoring the winning basket in the final.

Her older brother Victor, who is entering Grade 11 in September, is one of the top players in B.C. for his age group.