Ex-Michigan State hoops star Tori Jankoska ready to embark on new journey in Poland

Tori Jankoska has lived out her biggest dream.

The top quest for the Freeland native had always centered around playing basketball at her dream school - Michigan State.

And she did that and set plenty of records along the way.

Whatever else is to come in basketball will be viewed as a bonus for Jankoska, who last week was named MSU's George Alderton Female co-Athlete of the Year.

And that has Jankoska relishing what's ahead despite the cards not aligning for her in the WNBA with the Chicago Sky. The next opportunity for Jankoska will come in Poland for Basket Gdynia this fall. She was signed by the squad last month shortly after being let go by the Sky.

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"The WNBA is a whole different ball game than really anything else," Jankoska said. "There’s limited spots, there’s different things that go into situations. It’s really out of your hands. (It’s) motivation for sure and people telling me I’m not good enough for sure helps. 

"I had my dream and I lived out my dream. Now anything extra is just bonus. Playing is not the same any more for me than playing at Michigan State – my dream school with my people. I don’t think anything is ever going to live up to that. I’m excited about the opportunity ahead of me and I want to go out and play well for them and explore the world a little bit and embark on a new journey."

Jankoska, who was selected No. 9 overall by Chicago in the WNBA draft last month, was a little surprised she never got an opportunity to play in a game for the Sky. But she knows things were out of her control and views that situation just wasn't meant to be.

"You kind of do whatever you can," Jankoska said. "The rest is up to everybody else. I felt like I did what I could and the decisions after that - you have to let everyone else make those type of decisions. I was happy I got my opportunity. It was fun."

Jankoska has spent the last month training in preparation to start her pro career in Poland in September. The former Michigan Miss Basketball also has worked to give back to a game that's has given her plenty of rewarding experiences. Jankoska has worked camps and done individual training instruction while working to pass on knowledge to the next generation of players.

“It’s really cool," Jankoska said. "It’s kind of another way I can bring along the Michigan State legacy and bring along my legacy that came from Michigan State. Honestly it’s been my pleasure growing the Michigan State brand and having people more involved with basketball at Michigan State."

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.