Most athletes dream of making the Olympics one day, but very few ever get the chance.
Making it to the Olympics in back-to-back editions is an even harder accomplishment as everyone has four years to improve their game and other talented athletes come along.
Angela Dugalić, Maine West High School’s No. 2 all-time leading scorer with 1,782 points and the program record holder for career games (135), is hoping to make her second Olympics, but it won’t be for Team USA.
Her parents are of Serbian descent, which makes her eligible to compete for Serbia in the Olympics.
She competed in 2021 in the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics for Serbia’s national women’s team and helped the team finish fourth, just one spot away from earning a medal.
Despite being just 22 years old, Dugalić is setting up for her second straight Olympic experience, but this one will be much different.
“It’s both exciting and humbling,” Dugalić said. “I loved my first experience in Tokyo, but it was very different because of COVID. It’s humbling to think that I have the privilege of representing my country for the second time on the biggest stage there is for sports.”
UCLA’s Angela Dugalic hustles towards the hoop. (Photo courtesy of UCLA Athletics)
She helped Serbia qualify for the 2024 Olympics in February, scoring 21 points and pulling down 18 rebounds across three games. Dugalić was the No. 4 leading scorer on the team during the qualifying event.
She hasn’t officially made the 2024 team yet, she stated, but it is generally believed she will make the team again. The chance to represent Serbia, Des Plaines and Maine West is something she cherishes and takes great pride in.
“Representing Serbia has been an amazing experience and I’m so blessed and happy that I have the chance to do so,” Dugalić said. “The same goes for Des Plaines. I have a lot of teachers, friends and even their parents text me to tell me how happy they are for me. It makes me feel good about myself that others are supporting me.”
UCLA’s Angela Dugalic scores in the post. (Photo courtesy of UCLA Athletics)
She would love nothing more to help Serbia win the gold medal, something the country has never done in the Olympics for women’s basketball. Serbia debuted in 2016 and finished third to earn a bronze medal, before falling one spot short of a second medal last time in the Olympics.
Dugalić loves a good challenge.
“The best part for me is the process to prepare for the Olympics,” she said. “My coach had us come two months before we would leave, just so we can get the best chemistry on and off the court. I love spending time with them. They are extremely good people and when it comes to basketball, we are extremely focused and are preparing for what lies ahead.”
Serbia opens the Olympics Sunday, July 28 against Puerto Rico. The second game is against China Wednesday, July 31, followed by the final Group A pool game against Spain, Saturday, Aug. 3. If they survive out of that round, they compete in the quarterfinals Tuesday-Wednesday, Aug. 6-7, then the semifinals Friday, Aug. 9. If they reach the gold or bronze medal games, they will play Sunday, Aug. 11.
No matter who they play, it is a chance for Dugalić to play the best players in the world.
“I’m most excited to play against players I’ve looked up to my whole career,” Dugalić said. “Some of the players we will play against, I’ve been watching and trying to mimic their game since I was a little girl.”
Not only does she get to play against people she grew up idolizing, she has the chance to be that idol for many young girls in Serbia and the Chicagoland area, along with the rest of the U.S.
“My coach (from Serbia) brought me to Tokyo to show me what it’s like to play on the biggest stage possible in hopes to prepare me for the future,” Dugalić said. “Before, I was really starstruck (and I’ll probably be starstruck this time round too), but I know I’ve matured and have become more level-headed. I know what is expected of me and I plan to leave it all out on the court.”
She has overcome a lot in recent years, transferring from Oregon to UCLA, along with missing an entire season (2022-23) due to injury. She was only able to play 14 games after an injury in her first year at UCLA in 2021-22, but came back strong during the 2023-24 season for the Bruins. Dugalić played in 30 games (29 starts) and contributed with 261 points, 195 rebounds, 62 assists, 35 steals and 17 blocks. Over 68 games and three seasons, Dugalić has 434 points, 355 rebounds, 89 assists, 55 steals and 32 blocks. Earlier this year she announced she will return to UCLA in 2024-25.
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