A big step for a tall player

Klimentina Modeva took a giant step in her basketball career when she came to the United States from North Macedonia. However, being most likely the tallest athlete ever to play for the Weatherford College Lady Coyotes, big steps come with her height, which is nearly 6 feet, 9 inches.

She is certainly the tallest player in Bob McKinley's career of nearly five decades coaching the Lady Coyotes, he said.

"She'll be the biggest player in our conference," McKinley said. "And her attitude is fantastic. She gets along with everybody."

Modeva has always been taller than other girls, but something happened early in her teenage years to make the difference even greater.

"I had a growth spurt when I was 14, and I grew six inches in that year," she said.

And yes, she does come from a tall family. Her father is 7-1 and her mother is 6 feet tall.

She's also humble. Concerning her making history with the Lady Coyotes, she simply said, "Yes, I am aware that, probably, I am one of the tallest players coach Bob ever had. I will try my best and play my hardest for the team."



International experience

Modeva comes to Weatherford after playing for the North Macedonia National Team. She played at the Under-16 and Under-18 levels, with a very special moment in the former.

"When I first joined the under-16 team in the Republic of Georgia, we took first place, and that memory will always stay with me," she said.

"Any experience like that is going to help her a bunch," McKinley said.

She also played for team ZKK Struga 2009 in the North Macedonia First League, the same team for which her sister Gabriela played. She credits her sister as being an inspiration to her. Gabriela went on to play for Davenport University.



Coming to Weatherford

Modeva said she'd never heard of Weatherford before but finds it fascinating. In fact, this was her first time to come to Texas.

"Even though it is different, I really like Texas and Weatherford," she said. "I miss my family and friends. But here, I love the basketball and how it is played."

She is completing general studies for the moment, but Modeva said she plans to later focus on cyber security.

"I really love coding and computers," she said.

And yes, she has plans to play beyond Weatherford College, even at the highest level if possible.

"If I have the opportunity, I would love to play professionally," she said.

In the meantime, she is enjoying making new friends and playing the sport she loves so much. And, if she develops into the American game like McKinley expects, she could help the Lady Coyotes take big steps back into the spotlight.

Modeva said she is excited for the chance to be a part of that, noting she loves the team's energy as they prepare for the season.

"I am looking forward to playing for Weatherford," she said. "The welcoming community and strong commitment to education really stood out to me, making it feel like a great place to learn and grow."

And while she's already taller than any other Lady Coyote ever, if some of that growth were to be upward, that would almost certainly be welcome.