An early entry candidate for the 2007 NBA Draft. Originally an early entry candidate for the 2006 NBA Draft before withdrawing his name from consideration.
Career Highlights: Has grown up and played professionally in his native Ukraine. Started his career in the Higher League playing for Azovmash Mariupol’s Second Team before moving on to the First Team in the Ukranian SuperLeague for 2004-05 and the first half of the 2005-06 season. Played with SC Mariupol during the second half of the 2005-06 season and with Cherkasi Mavpi during the 2006-07 season. A member of the Ukranian National Team. Averaged 6.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.0 blocked shots at the 2005 U20 European Championships in Moscow. Contributed 12.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots at the 2004 U18 European Championships in Zaragoza, Spain.
2006-07: Averaged 6.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots in 18.5 minutes a contest. Scored in double figures seven times, posting a season-high of 17 points. In six games at the FIBA EuroCup Challenge, averaged 7.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocked shots in 18.7 minutes a contest.
2005-06: Started the season with Azovmash, averaging 5.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots in 11.8 minutes a contest in nine games in the Ukraninan league. Also appeared in two FIBA EuroCup games and scored two points. Moved on to SC Mariupol, averaging 15.3 points and 8.7 rebounds in nine games.
2004-05: For Azovmash, averaged 7.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocked shots in six games in the Ukranian League. Appeared in five FIBA EuroCup contest (then called the FIBA Europe League), averaging 3.2 points and 1.8 rebounds. Tallied 14 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots vs. Besiktas.
Strengths: Aggressive rebounder and shot blocker who prefers to operate from the perimeter offensively.
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