At just 22 years of age, Jack Animam already boasts a resume that is just a dream for the majority.
During her five years at National University, she won five University Athletic Association of the Philippines titles; was named as the Season 80 Most Valuable Player and Season 81 Finals MVP; and has made the All-UAAP team four times.
In her sole year at Shih Hsin University, she not only won the University Basketball Alliance crown, but also made the All-UBA team.
On the national team level, she led Gilas Women to not just one but two Southeast Asian Games golds.
Then in three months spent working out with East West Private and being under Coach Dante Harlan, the 6-foot-2 banger improved on her game.
“When I was doing workouts here, we really worked hard with my midrange shot and my ball handling,” she shared during a virtual press conference hosted by EWP.
But that is not enough to get her to the Women’s National Basketball Association — the league where the elite of the elite plays.
Animam’s adviser and mentor Imani McGee-Stafford knows that all too well.
“One of the hardest parts in getting to the WNBA is having quality film against other quality players, especially when coming out of college from a different country,” said McGee-Stafford, who played for Chicago, Atlanta, and Dallas from 2016 to 2019.
And so Animam needs to collect film and perform at her peak once she plays for First Women’s Basketball League of Serbia club Radnički Kragujevac.
“Being able to get that film will definitely help her career,” added McGee-Stafford.
The 26-year-old product of Texas, who was the 10th overall pick in the 2016 WNBA draft, knows the overseas grind all too well. She has played for Israel’s Bnei Herzliya, China’s Beijing Great Wall, Turkey’s Adana Basketbol, and Australia’s Perth Lynx.
“I’m super excited for her. Overseas basketball is definitely a grind. It’s different,” she said.
“Jack’s ultimate goal is the WNBA and this is definitely a stepping stone. Being able to get that film will definitely help her career.”
Of course, Animam’s focus is to lead Radnički Kragujevac to a better finish than it had last season.
“One step at a time right? Right now Jack’s focus is Serbia,” said EWP CEO Patty Scott.
“What dream wouldn’t be out there for the WNBA? But her focus right now is 100-percent Serbia.”
And leading her Serbian team to the top is the sole focus of Animam for the time being.
“To be honest, my measure of success here is to help my team win that championship. Whatever it takes, I will do everything in leading my team.”
