49ers from Croatia shine on and off court

Graduating seniors Anja Grabovac and Mate Milisa have a lot in common.

Both came to the United States separately with a dream. He wanted to play basketball. She wanted to play volleyball. They left their homes in Croatia to bring their athletic skills and classroom smarts to Long Beach State.

Milisa, 24, is an international business major who helped lead the LBSU men's basketball team to a 15-1 Big West Conference record and the Big West Western Division crown this past season. The 49ers finished at 24-6 overall and eventually lost to UC Berkeley in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.

Milisa led the team in scoring (18.5 ppg) as well as field goal percentage (.593). He also made his mark in the classroom. His grade point average of 3.61 was enough to earn him a spot on the GTE Academic All-District team as well as being named the Long Beach Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

"It was tough, because time for studying was really, really scarce during the season," Milisa said. "But it helps when the season is over and you have two months to try to get a hold of your school obligations."

Milisa's mother and brother will be coming to the United States for the first time for his graduation. He plans to show them all around Southern California.

After graduation, it is a waiting game for Milisa. He plans to continue playing basketball somewhere; it is just a question of where.

"I'm going to play professional basketball, that's for sure. I am focusing all of my energy and time preparing myself for next season," Milisa said. "It might be in the NBA if I get picked in the draft, but if not, then I'll play in Europe."

Milisa eventually wants to go back to Croatia in about 10 years after he is done with his basketball career and maybe work in the field of his degree.

"My degree is like a security that I have, I wanted to prove myself that I could finish college and play basketball on the highest levels," he explained.

Then there is 23-year-old Grabovac. She is no slacker on the court or in the classroom either. She was an integral part of the 1998 NCAA championship volleyball team and helped lead the team to its third consecutive final four appearance in the 1999 season.

The outside hitter was named to the First Team All-Big West this season, as well as the GTE Academic All-District team. She carried a 3.68 GPA in business.

"You need to study in the airports, in the airplanes and use every minute you have," Grabovac explained. "I think that student-athletes that get out of college, they achieve time management for the future, which is really good."

She says that she has been so busy that she has not even thought of immediate plans for graduation yet.

"I've been so busy with school that I haven't even gotten my gown!" Grabovac said.

After she finds a minute to get her cap and gown, she will wait to hear where she is playing volleyball next.

"I'm looking for a professional team, most likely somewhere in Europe, where I'll play volleyball as long as my body can handle it," she said with a smile.

LBSU women's volleyball Head Coach Brian Gimmillaro was full of praise for Grabovac.

"She is the first player in the history of our school to be on a NCAA Championship team and also be an Academic All-American," Gimmillaro said. "She was a leader and will be terribly missed. She was an outstanding person to represent our school in all ways."