By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The third signee of the Class of 2014, the Tennessee Tech men's basketball team has announced the signing of Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga guard Aleksa Jugovic. A native of Serbia, he joins Savonte Frazier and Josh Bougher in the newest signing class for the Golden Eagles.
"Aleksa is one of the best shooters we've signed. He can play both guard spots. He has good range and a high basketball IQ. He's played at a high level with his Serbian national team. He's currently playing for a great up-and-coming program at Hamilton Heights and head coach Zach Ferrell. I really think his best days are in front of him. We were looking for a guy who could play point guard and really shoot the basketball and he easily fits the bill in both. We're excited for what he brings to the table and excited to get him in here as soon a possible."
Aleksa Jugovic
6-3 – Guard – Serbia – Hamilton Heights Christian Academy
A citizen of Serbia, Jugovic brings great success from both the high school game and on the international stage. As a senior this season at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in the 18-year-old has played outstanding at the point guard position, leading the Hawks to a 19-1 start to the year while averaging 13.9 points per game. Jugovic is dishing out an impressive 6.4 assists per contest while recording a 2.0 assist/turnover ratio. He also averages 1.3 steals and 1.6 rebounds per game for HHCA in addition to shooting 38.5 percent from 3-point range, 46.8 percent from the field, and 83.1 percent from the charity stripe.
This past summer, Jugovic was a starter on Serbia's U18 national team that competed in the FIBA Europe U-18 Championships. He led the squad to a 6-4 mark during the event, pacing the team in assists with 3.2 and steals with 1.5 per game. He also averaged the most minutes per contest, playing 30.2 in eight games. Jugovic scored 8.4 points and pulled down 3.4 rebounds in the Championships as well.
High school coach Zach Ferrell on Jugovic:
Aleksa is one of the hardest workers I've ever been around at the high school level. He approaches the game of basketball with great passion and an intensity that is just contagious. He demands constant intensity both from himself and his teammates and that makes him a great leader. On the court, Aleksa is an excellent on-the-ball defender and incredible shooter. He possesses outstanding court vision and approaches and plays the game in a fantastic way. He practically demands perfection in every aspect of his game and he's always working and striving to get better.
I know he's very excited to be a part of the team and coaching staff at Tennessee Tech. He loved the culture when he visited and he can't wait to become a Golden Eagle.
