Mihaela Lazic: Basketball, Bicycle & Balance
Mihaela Lazic is best known as a Croatian national team basketball player, currently playing for Beşiktaş in Istanbul. While basketball has taken her around the world, from Croatia to the United States and Turkey, one habit has stayed with her since childhood: riding a bike.
In this Bikademy interview, Mihaela shares why cycling has always been part of her everyday life, how different countries approach movement and mobility, and why small daily habits can make the biggest difference.
Most people know you through basketball and the Croatian national team. How did your basketball journey begin and what has the sport taught you over the years?
I’ve been playing basketball since I was ten years old, but I’d say my basketball journey actually began much earlier, back in childhood, out on the street with a ball in my hands. Almost every day, from morning until sunset, I played all kinds of sports with the boys from my neighborhood. It was pure fun, and a ball was always part of my life.
When I turned ten, I attended my first basketball practice at the Tigrići Basketball School with coach Bruno Štefanek. Later, I moved to Brod na Savi, where I trained under coaches Damir Božić and Dražen Rimarčuk. That’s where I truly grew up as a player, developed my skills and gained most of my basketball knowledge before leaving for university in the United States.
Over the years, sport has taught me discipline, perseverance and patience. It showed me that success doesn’t come overnight. It also taught me the importance of teamwork, trust and always giving your best, even when the results aren’t immediately visible. Those are values I still carry with me today, not only in sport but in everyday life.
You spent part of your career and studies in the United States, where you also graduated. How different was the lifestyle there compared to Croatia, especially when it comes to movement, mobility and everyday habits?
I spent four years studying and playing basketball at the University of South Florida in Tampa, followed by my final year at Florida International University in Miami, where I graduated.
The differences between Croatia and the United States are significant, especially when it comes to lifestyle and everyday habits. When I first moved to the U.S., it took me some time to adapt. Everything is much bigger, distances are much longer and having a car is almost essential for everyday life. Most people drive everywhere, even for very short distances, which means there’s much less natural movement throughout the day than I was used to in Croatia.
Back home, it’s perfectly normal to walk or cycle to the grocery store, a café or the city center. In many parts of America, that’s simply not common. I think that’s one of the reasons why people in Croatia naturally stay more active during the day.
On the other hand, Americans invest heavily in organized physical activity. Gyms, sports facilities and recreational activities are a very important part of everyday life. As an athlete, I was impressed by the attention given to sport and training conditions, but at the same time, I came to appreciate even more the Croatian lifestyle, where we stay active through everyday routines.
Istanbul is another important city in your career, and now you’re returning there once again, congratulations on your new contract! How does it feel to be back, and what do you enjoy most about life in Istanbul?
Thank you very much! I’m really happy to be returning to Beşiktaş and to Istanbul.
I spent my first two professional seasons there, and I honestly have wonderful memories from that period. As a young player, it was my first professional contract and my first real experience in professional basketball, so both the club and the city will always have a special place in my heart.
Basketball in Turkey is played at an incredibly high level. There is a lot of investment in the sport, the league is extremely competitive, and the fans truly live for basketball. Playing in front of packed arenas and feeling that atmosphere gives every athlete extra motivation.
Beyond basketball, Istanbul is a city where I genuinely felt at home. It’s vibrant, full of life, different cultures, amazing food and beautiful places. There’s always something happening, and I love that energy. That’s why I’m especially excited to return to the same club and begin a new chapter.
I believe I’m coming back as a more experienced and mature player than I was the first time, and I hope to show that on the court.
We’ve known you for a long time and often saw you riding a bike around Slavonski Brod. Has cycling always been part of your everyday life or did it naturally become part of your lifestyle over time?
I’d say cycling has always been part of my life. As long as I can remember, I’ve been riding a bike and it has always felt completely natural to me.
In Slavonski Brod, I used my bike to get almost everywhere: school, practice, visiting friends or simply riding around town.
I never really thought of it as exercise. It was simply part of my everyday routine. Riding a bike was my normal way of getting around, and I think that habit has stayed with me ever since.
For professional athletes, recovery, movement and balance are essential. What does riding a bike mean to you personally: relaxation, freedom, practicality or something entirely different?
For me, cycling is a little bit of everything.
As a professional athlete, movement is naturally part of my life, but I see cycling differently from a regular training session. It represents relaxation, freedom and a small moment in the day when I can simply enjoy myself without any pressure or expectations.
After demanding practices and games, I love getting on my bike, spending time outdoors, breathing fresh air and just riding. It helps me relax and recharge.
I also appreciate the practical side of cycling. Especially in cities like Slavonski Brod, where you can do so much by bike while staying active at the same time.
I believe it’s these small everyday habits that make a big difference, not only for physical health but also for mental well-being. For me, the bicycle isn’t just a means of transportation; it’s part of my lifestyle and something that has been with me since childhood.
As a professional athlete and an active woman, do you think more women are choosing the bicycle today, not only as a sport, but also as a way of everyday transportation, mobility, and independence?
I definitely think more and more women are choosing the bicycle, not only as a form of recreation but also as a practical way of life.
Cycling gives you a sense of freedom and independence. You’re not dependent on traffic, you can easily get around the city and at the same time you’re doing something good for your health.
As an athlete, I’ve always been closely connected to movement and physical activity, but I think more people are now realizing how important small everyday habits really are. You don’t have to train professionally or spend hours in the gym to stay active. Sometimes simply choosing a bike instead of a car for everyday errands is enough.
I’m especially happy to see more women feeling comfortable and confident riding a bike, whether they use it for commuting, recreation or simply for enjoyment. I believe a bicycle is much more than a way to get from one place to another, it’s a way to stay active and connected to your surroundings.
When you’re back home, are there any cycling routes, places or areas you especially enjoy exploring that you would recommend to our Bikademy Students?
Whenever I’m back home in Slavonski Brod, cycling remains one of my favorite ways to get around and spend my free time.
I have a few favorite routes that I always enjoy returning to. One of them is the ride to Poloj, our riverside recreation area, especially during the warmer months. It’s a beautiful place to enjoy nature, peace and wonderful views along the Sava River.
Another must is cycling through Brod Fortress, one of the city’s landmarks and a place I always love passing through.
I also enjoy riding to Petnja Lake, where you can escape the city, enjoy nature, fresh air and a quieter ride.
That’s why I’d encourage all Bikademy Students and anyone visiting Slavonski Brod, to get on a bike and explore these routes. Our region truly has many beautiful places worth experiencing on two wheels.
What would you say to someone who has a bicycle at home but still doesn’t use it for short daily rides, commuting, or simply enjoying the outdoors?
To everyone who has a bicycle at home but still isn’t using it, I’d simply say: just start.
You don’t need to plan a long ride or have a special goal. Just get on your bike and take that first ride. We often forget how much joy simple things can bring and how much better we feel after spending a little time outdoors and moving.
A bicycle is one of those simple things that gives so much in return. It can be your transportation, your recreation, your way to relax or simply a moment in the day to step away from your routine.
I grew up with a bicycle, so it’s always been a natural part of my life. But I truly believe everyone can find their own reason to ride. Once you start, you’ll quickly realize how those small rides can brighten your day.
The most important thing is not to see cycling as an obligation, but as something that gives you freedom, movement and a little time for yourself.
Thank you, Miha, for sharing your story and reminding us that staying active doesn’t always start with elite sport… it often begins with the simple habit of getting on a bike.
We wish you the very best in your new chapter with Beşiktaş and look forward to following your journey, both on and off the court.
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