Red Star Belgrade will begin its EuroLeague Women’s campaign on Wednesday night, with two Israeli players on the Serbian club’s roster, Dorian Dahan Sujic and Romi Levi.

Dahan Sujic is entering her second season with the powerhouse club. In her first year at Red Star, she won the Serbian league championship averaging 11.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in EuroCup Women’s play. Now, as she prepares to open the EuroLeague season against Mechelen tonight (Wednesday, 19:00), Dahan Sujic spoke with The Sports Rabbi about the upcoming campaign, her WNBA dream and the biggest goal with the Israel National Team.

How does it feel to return to Red Star for another season and what made you decide to stay with the club?
“I would say the feelings about Red Star are positive and exciting. We have big goals this year; to become a dominant team in the Euroleague. I’m really happy about that because one of my biggest goals is to become a legitimate, leading Euroleague player. This is a golden opportunity for me to be part of a big club and I’m happy to be here.”

What are your personal goals for the upcoming season?
“To continue showing my individual progress. Every summer, I usually work very hard with personal coaches and on my physical conditioning with Regev Fanan. I want to demonstrate that progress, show that I’m at this level and prove that this is where I belong.”

Which aspects of your game did you work on over the summer?
“First of all, I did a lot of physical work, focusing on my quickness and athleticism. That’s something I’m always working on. In terms of basketball, I worked a lot on my right hand and my shooting, both off the dribble and off the catch. Of course, I also continued to build on my strengths.”

Romi Levi has joined you at Red Star. How does it feel to play alongside another Israeli at the club?
“It’s really nice in a way. I didn’t know Romi very well before her arrival at Red Star, but I’m very happy she’s here. It’s exciting to have another Israeli reaching the biggest stages and I’m sure we’ll have a fun season. I also believe it will help us with the senior national team.”

You have Serbian roots. How does that affect your status in Serbia?
“I’m considered a domestic player because I’m Serbian. I was born and raised in Belgrade and my entire family is there. Some people even say I’m more Serbian than Israeli, but, you know, that depends on whom you ask.”

When you were younger, did you have the option of choosing between Serbia and Israel at the national team level?
“I was a child, I was young, so as soon as I was called up to play for Israel, I came right away.”

Are you in touch with Deni or Zufi Avdija?
“I don’t have a personal relationship with them. I do know Deni through training and I’m always happy to see him. I truly hope that he will have another successful season in the NBA this year.”
Last season, the Israel national team enjoyed excellent qualifying windows without suffering a loss. Dahan Sujic averaged 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists.

How important is qualifying for EuroBasket to you and the national team, especially with Romi Levi and Yarden Garzon joining the squad after having played college basketball?
“That’s the main goal; to qualify for EuroBasket. That’s the clear objective here. Having Romi and Yarden join us will be a huge help because they’re both great players. Our eyes are focused solely on qualifying for the European Championship.”

Do you feel the national team has a good chance of achieving that goal?
“I feel that if we play the way we’re capable of playing, we have a chance. Obviously, this is a new team because Romi and Yarden haven’t been with us before, but they’re significant additions. I’m sure the coaching staff and the players will give 200% to qualify because it’s a realistic goal.”

We saw the youth national teams achieve success this summer, including a silver medal at the U20 European Championship and promotion to Division A for the girls’ team. What do you think about that progress?
“First of all, it’s really exciting to see the youth national teams finally becoming dominant, because it shows that work is being done at the younger age groups. I’m very happy for the U20 team and the girls’ team. It’s great to see our youth teams becoming increasingly competitive and dominant. The next goal is to see that happen with the senior team as well.”

Tell us about your relationship with Gal Raviv.
“I love Gal. She’s an amazing person and I had the opportunity to train with her throughout the summer. She’s a terrific player and I hope she has amazing season in college and that she continues to show everyone, especially after this past summer, what kind of player she is.”

You’ve attended Maccabi Tel Aviv games in Belgrade. What was that experience like and what is your connection to the club?
“I’ve been training with Regev Fanan since I was 16 and whenever I have the opportunity to see him, I always want to. Of course, I also have friends on the team, so whenever I can come and support an Israeli team competing on the European stage, I’ll always do it.”

Was there any discussion about the WNBA over the summer and did you receive any invitations to attend training camps?
“There has been talk and there is still talk. I can tell you that my agent, Matan Simantov, is already in regular contact with them and the next goal is to make it happen this coming summer.”

What do you think about the college basketball phenomenon? Did you receive offers to play in the United States and if so, why did you decide not to make the move?
“I think the college system is an amazing concept, especially now with all the NIL offers available there. Personally, I prefer European basketball.”

How do you view the current state of women’s basketball in Israel and what role do you feel you have in helping the sport develop?
“I think this past summer shows that Israeli basketball is making progress. I do believe there is always room for improvement, whether among players, coaches or clubs. But I think Israeli basketball is gradually moving in the right direction. Good things take time, and I’m sure that in a few years, especially with the changing generations, the Israel national team will look completely different.”

What do you think about the level of the Israel Women’s Premier League? What could be improved and what is already working well?
“I think the Women’s Premier League is at a very good level, especially given the work that has been done in recent years to promote it. I’m very happy that there are more foreign players because that really raises the level of the league. I hope it continues to grow and develop because it has the potential to become an even better league than it already is.”

If Euroleague teams were established in Israel in the future, would you consider playing for one?
“I would never say no to anything. Anything is possible in life.”

How do you see women’s basketball in Israel compared to the men’s game?
“Listen, there’s a lot to discuss. Unfortunately, I can tell you that in almost every country, there is a difference between women’s and men’s sports in terms of the support and attention they receive. But I think women’s sports and women’s basketball in particular, are gradually getting much more exposure and the respect they deserve. That’s something that makes me very happy.”

What would you consider the biggest achievement or most significant period of your career so far?
“I can say that last season at Red Star was very significant, partly because the club gave me a golden opportunity to come in and lead a EuroCup team that was very good. In addition, during the most recent national team qualifying windows, I had the ability and opportunity to lead the team through two very successful windows.”

Where do you see yourself in two or three years?
“Continuing to play in the Euroleague and the WNBA, God willing.”

What is your biggest dream in your career or in life in general?
“An All-Star appearance.”