Photo by: Eyasu Betwos
Mustang Player Profile: Nikola Kovacikova
11/9/2022 12:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Nikola Kovacikova is a graduate transfer guard for the Cal Poly women's basketball team from Levice, Slovakia who previously played two years each at Georgetown and Penn.
Q: Why did you decide to come to Cal Poly for your final college season?
Nikola: My decision to come to Cal Poly was based on multiple factors which beautifully worked in all together. First and foremost, I chose Cal Poly because of such great energy and communication I had during recruiting with the new coaching staff. I felt extremely welcomed and appreciated and saw the vision where the new coaching staff and the team can take this program- to a completely new and higher level. The desire to be part of a team that makes a difference played a huge part in my decision. Second, my future career aspirations in business perfectly aligned with an accelerated MBA program I am currently pursuing. Lastly, it was always my dream to live in California and I have to say so far so great!
Q: When did you first start playing basketball and who helped you develop your game?
Nikola: I "officially" started playing basketball when I was 10 years old, even though I was in the gym alongside my parents since I was 6 months old as I come from a family where both my parents were professional players and then coaches. When I was 10, at that time my hometown did not have a basketball team, so I basically forced my parents to create a basketball club in my city and start to coach me. They coached me up until I was 18 years old and I cannot be more thankful for all the experiences and great memories while playing under their wings. All I know basketball-wise is thanks to my amazing parents!
Q: What are things you like to do outside of basketball?
Nikola: I love to keep myself busy and explore new things, but the thing I love the most is hanging out with my family and friends! Besides that, I love traveling, exploring new places, restaurants, and little coffee/pastry shops! I also love beach days and going to concerts and festivals! Going for some good live theatre performances is another hobby of mine.
Q: Do you have any gameday superstitions or rituals?
Nikola: I guess in general I am a pretty superstitious person, but one thing I have been doing since my very first game ever is to be the last person that scores after warmups before we go back to our benches! Also, I try to finish every pregame practice with one made three point shot, free throw shot, and four layups.
Q: What is your dream job?
Nikola: One day to have my own business. I would love to be a CEO of a luxury fashion brand or a luxurious chain of hotels.
Q: You get one last meal, what are you eating?
Nikola: Pizza!
Q: If you could build your dream vacation, where are you going and what are you doing?
Nikola: My biggest passion is traveling, so if I have an unlimited budget I would plan out the whole "world-around trip" visiting all seven continents. Starting at Antarctica, finishing in Australia, and definitely including visiting places like Peru, Brazil, Alaska, Iceland, South Africa, Madagascar, India, Maldives, China, Japan, and New Zealand. My journey would focus on learning about each culture through the experiences of domestic people.
Q: If you could have dinner with any three people - alive or dead - who would it be?
Nikola: Princess Diana, Shawn Mendes, Hailey Bieber
Q: Why did you decide to come to Cal Poly for your final college season?
Nikola: My decision to come to Cal Poly was based on multiple factors which beautifully worked in all together. First and foremost, I chose Cal Poly because of such great energy and communication I had during recruiting with the new coaching staff. I felt extremely welcomed and appreciated and saw the vision where the new coaching staff and the team can take this program- to a completely new and higher level. The desire to be part of a team that makes a difference played a huge part in my decision. Second, my future career aspirations in business perfectly aligned with an accelerated MBA program I am currently pursuing. Lastly, it was always my dream to live in California and I have to say so far so great!
Q: When did you first start playing basketball and who helped you develop your game?
Nikola: I "officially" started playing basketball when I was 10 years old, even though I was in the gym alongside my parents since I was 6 months old as I come from a family where both my parents were professional players and then coaches. When I was 10, at that time my hometown did not have a basketball team, so I basically forced my parents to create a basketball club in my city and start to coach me. They coached me up until I was 18 years old and I cannot be more thankful for all the experiences and great memories while playing under their wings. All I know basketball-wise is thanks to my amazing parents!
Q: What are things you like to do outside of basketball?
Nikola: I love to keep myself busy and explore new things, but the thing I love the most is hanging out with my family and friends! Besides that, I love traveling, exploring new places, restaurants, and little coffee/pastry shops! I also love beach days and going to concerts and festivals! Going for some good live theatre performances is another hobby of mine.
Q: Do you have any gameday superstitions or rituals?
Nikola: I guess in general I am a pretty superstitious person, but one thing I have been doing since my very first game ever is to be the last person that scores after warmups before we go back to our benches! Also, I try to finish every pregame practice with one made three point shot, free throw shot, and four layups.
Q: What is your dream job?
Nikola: One day to have my own business. I would love to be a CEO of a luxury fashion brand or a luxurious chain of hotels.
Q: You get one last meal, what are you eating?
Nikola: Pizza!
Q: If you could build your dream vacation, where are you going and what are you doing?
Nikola: My biggest passion is traveling, so if I have an unlimited budget I would plan out the whole "world-around trip" visiting all seven continents. Starting at Antarctica, finishing in Australia, and definitely including visiting places like Peru, Brazil, Alaska, Iceland, South Africa, Madagascar, India, Maldives, China, Japan, and New Zealand. My journey would focus on learning about each culture through the experiences of domestic people.
Q: If you could have dinner with any three people - alive or dead - who would it be?
Nikola: Princess Diana, Shawn Mendes, Hailey Bieber
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