Glenbard South's Markovic picks IUPUI

Glenbard South coach Julie Fonda described Nevena Markovic's college recruitment as “nothing, nothing, nothing — then a whirlwind.”

With a happy ending.

Markovic has committed to Division I Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

IUPUI coach Austin Parkinson offered Markovic over the phone Dec. 14 while driving home from watching Glenbard South and Markovic play Wheaton North. Markovic visited the Indianapolis campus later that week and committed Dec. 30.

Markovic chose IUPUI over Western Illinois. Until the last month, though, her only offer was from NAIA school Olivet Nazarene.

“It was a tough process for her,” Fonda said. “She saw a lot of people around her signing and committing, and she wondered what was wrong with her. You gotta keep the faith. Good things happen to good people and I'm excited for her.”

Markovic is averaging 17.7 points and 10.2 rebounds per game for the 13-3 Raiders. The 6-foot-4 center also leads her team with 66 assists.

She becomes Glenbard South's first Division I recruit for girls basketball. Markovic, who plans to major in marketing, joins a program rebuilding under first-year coach Parkinson.

“He feels that Nev can contribute right away, which was important to her,” Fonda said. “It just felt right.”