Oleksiy Pecherov and Oleh Shamshur, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States. PHOTO GALLERY

Wizards forward/center Oleksiy Pecherov participated in the Annual Washington Area Ukrainian Festival on Saturday in Silver Spring, Maryland. Pecherov was also extended an invitation to take part in the opening ceremonies with Archbishop Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the United States and Oleh Shamshur, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States and other state and local dignitaries.

Pecherov had some opening remarks in which he thanked the many volunteers from the community for the beautiful festival.

“This is very exciting for me and my family,” Pecherov said. “We enjoyed the music, the great food and it is also nice to be around all the different Ukrainian traditions. I feel very proud and honored to share this wonderful experience with so many nice people.”

Pecherov was joined by his parents: Vladimir and Olga and his younger brother Sasha. His family is spending the month of September visiting their son and brother in his new home of Washington, DC.

Pecherov enjoyed the afternoon as he visited and mingled with different families, took pictures with new, adoring fans and enjoyed a Ukrainian feast.

“It seems like he will have an excellent future with the Washington Wizards,” Shamshur said. “But more importantly, he is a very nice young man who has two very important qualities: great character and integrity.”

Pecherov, 21, enters his rookie season with the Wizards, who will begin training camp in October. He became the first ever international player selected by the Wizards franchise in the first round of the 2006 NBA Draft.