Career: TTT/Rapa Riga (Latvia-LSBL, 1997-2001), RTU/Klondaika Riga (Latvia-LSBL, 2001-02), USO Mondeville (France-LFB, 2002-04), CJM Bourges (France-LFB, 2004-06), Dynamo Moscow (Russia-Superleague, 2006-07)
Jekabsone-Zogota was named FIBA Europe Young Women’s Player of the Year in 2005 as a result of her remarkable EuoBasket Women performance. She has followed that performance up in fine fashion by leading EuroCup Women side Dynamo Moscow to the title. Not bad for a 24 year old who still hasn’t reached the peak of her career. For a couple of years now the Riga native has been a real leader for Latvia, happy to take the big shots and lock down the opponent’s best player.
The daughter of former Latvian basketball star Andris Jekabsonse who won a silver medal at the 1986 World Championship with the USSR, Anete has been regarded as one of the best prospects in Latvia since she was a teenager. Very quick, with good shooting and passing skills, Anete was a key cog at every level of youth competitions and, together with some current National Team members, Latvia finished an impressive fourth at the 2002 U20 European Championship and took part in 2003 U21 World Championship.
At the beginning of 21st century, Latvia did not have a strong women’s basketball league, forcing a lot of young basketball talents to go to the USA and play for NCAA teams. Anete Jekabsone chose another way, saying that “I don’t like the show. I like serious basketball and I want to be a professional player as soon as possible.”. So she went to France, played two years at Mondeville, then spent two seasons in Bourges, where she had some great experiences and her importance to her National Team grew quickly.
On the court, Jekabsone-Zogota can do just about anything. At EuroBasket Women 2005 in Turkey, she had impressive statistics, finishing third in scoring (19.6 points), second in steals (2.8) and fifth in assists (4.0). An iron girl, she played over 35 minutes per game without wearing down. Her contribution to the Latvian National Team’s success have been immeasurable. However sixth place in 2005 was not high enough to satisfy her. In 2007, she wants to go at least one step further and is dreaming of qualification for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Last year was a very important one in the 1.76 meter shooting guard’s life. Before the season, she got married and made the move to Russian super club Dynamo Moscow to take on a new challenge. This new beginning in a new country was not easy but Anete’s personal charm, professional attitude and fighting spirit produced a good result. She began as a bench player, but soon became an important member of the starting five and scored a combined 40 points in the two EuroCup final games.
