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Ivan Kharchenkov 6'7 2025 SF Has Committed To ARIZONA!
Ivan Kharchenkov, the 18-year-old Russian-born Wing from FC Bayern Munich, has committed to the University of Arizona for the 2025-26 season. Standing at 6'7" and weighing 217lbs, Kharchenkov brings an impressive physical presence to the Wildcats' backcourt. His decision to join Arizona keeps Tommy's international pipeline of talent going. Kharchenkov, a standout in the German BBL and EuroLeague, chose Arizona over other North Carolina and more. He was drawn by the team's fast-paced style and reputation for developing wings into NBA prospects.
In the 2023-24 season with FC Bayern Munich's second team in Germany's ProB league, he averaged 22.5 points per game, showcasing his scoring prowess. His career-high 33 points in a March 2024 game against BBC Coburg, where he shot 3/7 from two, 3/10 from three, and an astounding 18/19 from the free-throw line, highlighted his versatility and clutch performance. Additionally, his 10 rebounds and 8 assists in a U18 European Championship game in August 2024 demonstrated his all-around game. Kharchenkov's ability to score efficiently, handle the ball, and contribute defensively—evidenced by a career-high 6 steals in a 2023 ProB game—makes him a perfect fit for Arizona's dynamic system. His experience with Bayern's senior team, including four EuroLeague appearances, adds a level of maturity rare for a freshman.
Beyond his stats, Kharchenkov's story is one of resilience and basketball lineage. Born in Moscow to a family steeped in the sport—his father, Alexander, won a 1974 World Championship with the Soviet Union, and his mother, Elena, was a top-league player—Ivan moved to Germany as a child, settling in Landsberg. His journey to Arizona began with grueling 140-kilometer commutes to train with Bayern's youth teams, a testament to his dedication. At just 16, he became the youngest scorer in BBL history, dropping five points in a 2022 game. Living at FC Bayern's campus, two minutes from the training hall, allowed him to hone his craft, leading to accolades like a gold medal at the 2024 European U18 Championship. He's already being projected in some early 2026 NBA draft boards. Kharchenkov's experience against top European teams and early exposure to high-level coaching from his father make him a nice final piece to the 2025-26 Wildcat squad.
https://youtu.be/4kLFxeQ1FOk
https://youtu.be/2vP9756hpfk
https://youtu.be/kpINOp5Pp4A
Wow. Extremely mature game for a teenager. Reminds me of KU's Svi Mykhaluk (sp?), except Kharchenkov is already a more polished defender.
Kinda funny that the German announcer called his move a "euro step".
Tommy the Commie. Can't see this guy getting minutes.
https://x.com/kalidrafts/status/1929616514820591778?t=f8b7LLM4pTLIV13fwH-vUg&s=19
Posts like these remind me how Tommy can't hold talent. Paulius situation all over again.
Ivan is young but not your typical freshman, he should be ready for the big 12, he has a college body already.
The only thing he seems to be a poor 3 point shooter, that bothers me a bit, we lost carter who shot 37% from 3 was hoping to add someone who could shoot the ball better, it's the reason I preferred luka bogavac for his shooting, also seemed like bogavac could get his own shot, either way ivan is the guy, an seems to do alot of stuff on the court, just not a shooter hopefully he develops there.
Welcome to the family that is Arizona Ivan!
We are glad to have you on board.
#BearDown
Now that is out of the way, the reason I am not as excited as I should be is because this kid looks like a combination of Borovicanin and Muraskas.
You add the slashing and finishing at the rim of Borovicanin.
You sprinkle in the shooting touch/ability of Muraskas.
You mix that in a bowl, put it in the oven, and you have Kharchenkov!
I felt the same way about one of those African bigs we signed too.
He looked like what Stephen would have been had he played last season.
Retention needs to be the key at some point for Lloyd.
#BearDown
Quote from: arxpert on June 03, 2025, 02:47:17 PMPosts like these remind me how Tommy can't hold talent. Paulius situation all over again.
Arizona can't have 8 lottery picks in a single season. Lloyd's recent international recruits have been intentional projects when the Cats already have starters on the roster. True Freshman Murauskas was never going to earn minutes over Pelle Larsson or Keshad Johnson. If he was wise enough to stick around for another season, the staff would have never recruited Delly and/or Trey Townsend. At Arizona, I could almost guarantee that his 3PT% wouldn't be a sad 29%, which was worse than everybody on the Gaels not named Barrett...
Quote from: mvpreed2 on June 04, 2025, 06:35:50 AMRetention needs to be the key at some point for Lloyd.
If only.
But also, if he does retain, then he can't recruit. So it's a double edged sword.
How many people used to mock me and say "Mid Major Miller"... well if Tommy succeeds in retaining players like this, he will effectively have turned Arizona into a real Mid Major.
So the joke is on everyone who made that comment or certified it along the way because that is the path Tommy is taking Arizona if he doesn't actually pump and dump these players in favor of 5*'s next offseason.
So let's see who was right all along.
"Go Team"
Quote from: KansasCityCats on June 04, 2025, 06:42:01 AMArizona can't have 8 lottery picks in a single season.
You don't need 8 Lottery Picks to lose talent.
That comment is a giant error of syntax.
Tommy can and will likely lose 8 players though. That would be on the low end of my estimation.
Doesn't mean he can't continue to backfill the team with whatever NBA Africa is spitting out or whatever Putin will allow to be sent over.
The key is to not actually become St Mary's or Gonzaga in the sense of having 8 International Players that are actually the foundation of the team while ignoring American players in the process.
If Tommy is doing that, then we shouldn't have left the Pac-Whatever it is now. The Big12 is not that type of Conference. Tommy needs to be able to recruit from California, Florida, Texas,
The DMV (Most underrated serious talent area in the Nation), as well as New York and of course ARIZONA.
I think Lloyd has found a nice mix of talent over the past few years:
Burries, Bryant and James (Cali), Peat, Boswell, Anderson and Stephen (AZ), Aristode (Netherlands/New Hampshire), Gueye and Martinez (Spain), Lewis (TX), Murauskas and Krivas (Lithuania), Veesaar (Estonia) and Borovicanin (Serbia).
Slightly more than half of our recruits are high-end American talents (not including the transfers, which were 100% local).
I'm excited to see how the staff plays our diverse lineup. The Cats could be really big OR really small, depending on which guys earn playing time. The tough non-con schedule will be a roller coaster.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on June 05, 2025, 07:59:05 AMI'm excited to see how the staff plays our diverse lineup.
This is said by many people every year. Not impressed at the moment.
Quote from: arxpert on June 04, 2025, 10:43:45 PMIf only.
But also, if he does retain, then he can't recruit. So it's a double edged sword.
Yes, you are right.
I should have chose my wording more carefully.
Let me see if I can explain it better and use the 2025-26 roster as reference points:
At its peak, the top 2-3 prospects at Arizona are going to leave early for the NBA (Burries/Peat).
It is not a matter of IF they leave, but WHEN will they leave?
The next 2-3 prospects at Arizona are expected to leave early, but they might stay another year or two depending on a handful of factors (Aristode/Krivas).
My comment about retention is focused more on prospects 7th to 10th on the roster.
These are the ones expected to stay at least three years, and be the glue guys and role players that fill the roles/gaps surrounding these younger NBA prospects consistently leaving early.
Given the right season, these guys could leave early and test the waters because they might not get another chance to get drafted, so they have to strike while the iron is hot (Awaka/Dell'Orso/James).
The rest of the prospects on the roster, you need to keep them for continuity/development in hopes that (1) they could develop into something special, or (2) they level out the class sizes by not being forced to take 5-6 prospects in a class because you have 4-5 year prospects on the roster.
Anderson/Borovicanin/Muraskas/Stephen are some of the ones that fit this tier.
#BearDown
Quote from: arxpert on June 05, 2025, 07:24:22 PMQuote from: KansasCityCats on June 05, 2025, 07:59:05 AMI'm excited to see how the staff plays our diverse lineup.
This is said by many people every year. Not impressed at the moment.
Quote from: arxpert on June 05, 2025, 07:24:22 PMQuote from: KansasCityCats on June 05, 2025, 07:59:05 AMI'm excited to see how the staff plays our diverse lineup.
This is said by many people every year. Not impressed at the moment.
Every other offseason, Arizona fans are "close" and have a pretty good grasp on the start line lineup. This year, we truly have no idea who starts, outside of Bradley and "probably" Krivas.
With multiple high-end freshmen on the roster, I'm intrigued to see who can play defense, which is typically the determining factor in earning minutes with this staff.
Quote from: mvpreed2 on June 06, 2025, 12:18:37 AMMy comment about retention is focused more on prospects 7th to 10th on the roster.
These are the ones expected to stay at least three years, and be the glue guys and role players that fill the roles/gaps surrounding these younger NBA prospects consistently leaving early.
I hear you. I'm merely saying Tommy has a Ph.D in making all of those guys want to leave Arizona after sitting around doing nothing for a full season. I am capable of being surprised. Let's see who he can actually retain.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on June 06, 2025, 05:00:43 AMThis year, we truly have no idea who starts, outside of Bradley and "probably" Krivas.
If Koa Peat and Burries aren't Day 1 Starters at 30min+ per game then Tommy will never get a Top Recruit again. That is no question at all. Will Tommy do the right thing and play Koa at SF? No idea, but that decision decides if Awaka or Dell Orso will get first crack at starting. My theory would be Tommy will bring Awaka in off the bench so as to have a fluid rotation since SloMo can't play heavy minutes. Dell Orso can play "6th Man" in multiple positions including. All he needs is an unselfish guy to drive in and dish the ball to his spot so he can let it rip.
The rest of the rest will have to battle it out for the 7th and 8th slots. Tommy isn't playing 9. Can't see it.
So pick who you want between Nelson, Aristode, James, Ivan, Sidi, Mamut or whoever else we have. 2 of them will be in the mix for minutes. I lean James and Aristode if he is anything like his hype is building. Nelson with the Conrad role of deep depth. Tommy dare not troll Bryce James nor Lebron by not playing him.
The rest are just here to tour America for their transfer options and forbid injury from my POV. If Tommy can retain and develop them that would be cool for a change. I cannot hold my breath though.
Last season, you mentioned that if Bryant doesn't get more minutes, Lloyd would never get another 5* prospect. You also mentioned that Lloyd would never play 8+ guys (and we had 9 that averaged approx 20 minutes).
Deja vu.
I'm high on Ivan. I like his measurables and think his game is a good fit for the big12. I think this is a very good get for my t. lloyd and easily my favorite international of the class.
The last Ivan to play @ Arizona.
The last Ivan to play @ Arizona.
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Quote from: KansasCityCats on June 06, 2025, 09:42:43 PMLast season, you mentioned that if Bryant doesn't get more minutes, Lloyd would never get another 5* prospect. You also mentioned that Lloyd would never play 8+ guys (and we had 9 that averaged approx 20 minutes).
Deja vu.
Carter didn't get minutes. It is only because your basketball hero SloMo went down that Carter had to play. Henri and Carter were basically the best tandem in the Nation and Tommy had no idea. Indictment on Tommy.
Carter would have tried to measure for the combine regardless of minutes, but he wouldn't have left school had Krivas not went down since he wouldn't have shown any tape vs anyone.
Tommy doesn't play 9 guys in any sort of effective way. Empty minutes, empty statistics. Not going to buy the scooterbop approach. Anyone can get minutes up on a per average basis for any reason. Continuity and Success were neither last year.
Exactly. And Lloyd just landed the best incoming class in the country (on paper), regardless of whether Bryant earned minutes. That'll continue, even if Peat doesn't get 35 MPG.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on June 09, 2025, 05:15:18 AMExactly. And Lloyd just landed the best incoming class in the country (on paper), regardless of whether Bryant earned minutes. That'll continue, even if Peat doesn't get 35 MPG.
If Tommy doesn't play Peat, Burries, and James heavily... don't expect Anything.
Again, we heard the same sentiments last year when Lloyd wouldn't play Bryant.
James committed, knowing that Delly was returning and Aristode was already coming to Tucson. He's a ridiculous talent but won't immediately compete with Nelson, Burries, Delly, Ivan and Aristode for minutes. He's clearly the #6 wing.
He is not going to play James heavily. Silly thought.
He'll play Peat and Burries heavily. I think Aristode will get more minutes than James.
James seems very much like a player that will not play much an will need time to get better.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on June 09, 2025, 09:31:12 PMAgain, we heard the same sentiments last year when Lloyd wouldn't play Bryant.
James committed, knowing that Delly was returning and Aristode was already coming to Tucson. He's a ridiculous talent but won't immediately compete with Nelson, Burries, Delly, Ivan and Aristode for minutes. He's clearly the #6 wing.
Too many James haters on this board. Bryce should be playing without a doubt. I don't care what anyone says about this. Everyone is thinking Aristode is going to automatically come in and dominate? Let's wait and see. Bryce is the most polished prospect coming in after Koa and Burries. He can do everything well on the court. If Tommy wants to waste him then that's another reason for Tommy to continue to be on the ever rising temperature hot seat of underperforming with the most talent to work with.
Being a factory for mass exodus of players to transfer out of as always as opposed to maybe 1 guy every other year or 2 in the past. And don't give me the lame excuse of NIL greed. Tommy could keep players if he cared to play them.
Which aspect of his 6PPG and 3 RPG in high school are more polished than Aristide (who would have been an all American, if it weren't for his injury)?
James will be a stud because he's extremely athletic, plays hard, has a chip on his shoulder and has a legend training him in the driveway. Realistically, he needs some time, before he's ready to steal minutes from our deep corps of wings.
Quote from: WILD on June 09, 2025, 10:30:36 PMHe'll play Peat and Burries heavily. I think Aristode will get more minutes than James.
That is only conventional thought. When the competition really begins we will find out if Aristode is the guy everyone is hyping up. Simply starting him over Bryce is not important. Not allowing for a healthy competition for the minutes is what Tommy excels at and makes the environment unhealthy. That is how Tommy loses the locker room every season earlier and earlier in the season and we all come to the boards to complain about why we are losing games we should win when it is clear as day there is talent on the bench that is not allowed to play.
Carter Bryant literally only played because of SloMo's injury. Otherwise he would have been sitting there as an unknown who would have showed up to the NBA Combine/Pro Day and randomly gotten drafted for his measurables instead of coming back. He raised his stock to probably a Top 6 pick or at least to the Wizards or Pelicans potentially depending on how Draft Night Trades pan out with very LIMITED opportunity.
I am always on record stating Tommy cannot handle coaching a deep roster. 8 Players is his limit. 20 minutes out of 9 guys on paper is very misleading with his approach and at the same time the rotations/substitutions are always glitched with Tommy.
The only silver lining is this season Tommy doesn't have a true Ball Hog on the team, but if he is going to allow Bradley to try to get 20 a night taking 9 3's then we are done already - that would be losing the locker room before we even start. There should be no less than 7 players scoring in double digits this season with this roster.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on June 11, 2025, 04:36:40 PMWhich aspect of his 6PPG and 3 RPG in high school are more polished than Aristide (who would have been an all American, if it weren't for his injury)?
James will be a stud because he's extremely athletic, plays hard, has a chip on his shoulder and has a legend training him in the driveway. Realistically, he needs some time, before he's ready to steal minutes from our deep corps of wings.
We aren't deep. This is the trap you and others fall for every year and there is barely any Power Conference experience on the team. Tommy has to leverage the incoming Talent and not DEFAULT to older players who have proven to be pushed around by the likes of Power teams.
Fans on this site are dedicated enough to follow Arizona throughout the offseason. If these fans hold completely different expectations regarding the starting lineup, then the Cats are therefore deep.
It's ok to criticize the inexperience for our two backup centers. Otherwise, Lloyd has a lot of experienced AND young talent.
Also, if Carter had a smile on his face and did nothing but thank the staff/fans after a season full of limited minutes...there is NO way that anybody in their right mind could think that our staff "lost the locker room".
I've seen Stephen hugging guys in the tunnel, Delly pumping up teammates and Bryant high-fiving everybody in sight. This team is a family and unless you are completely disassociated with the program, you'd agree.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on June 12, 2025, 12:36:53 PMThis team is a family and unless you are completely disassociated with the program, you'd agree.
Ummm.. you just repeat what I always say.
Talking last season, the players definitely played for each other. Even more so, they knew that they had to because Money was on the line. When the lowest of lows occurred, it was definitely not Tommy that fixed it. If you want to give Carter the credit for stepping up, ok. If you think that KJ Lewis was playing FOR TOMMY by offering to go to the bench (and if you truly believe that heartwarming story), then you are the only disassociated. These players played for themselves and each other, but they certainly didn't play for Tommy last year nor the year before for that matter.
Except Liam. Of course he played for Tommy.
This season, I am hoping to see something different. Tommy only has 1 real experienced player on the team. Bradley. So it will be on Tommy Lloyd to help direct this squad to whatever ceiling it has. If the team does not reach the 1/2 seed level of other standard's past, then Tommy didn't do his job. There is enough talent to do so, but there certainly is no depth on this roster. We have what we have.
Bradley, Awaka, and a few games of Krivas
"Nelly" is not Power 4 Qualified.
The rest is all inexperienced to this Level. Period.
I don't know what expectations there really should be anymore because it is up to Tommy to Coach inexperienced players and Tommy is not a Leader of Men so far albeit he may be America's favorite College Basketball Dad
For those who have watched his tape, does Ivan have the requisite skill set to play some SG on offense while defending the SF on defense?
That's cute. The players huddled up and played for each other while the staff simultaneous "lost" the locker room? You clearly haven't been around the team throughout the past four years because the staff is heavily involved.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on June 13, 2025, 04:40:13 AMThat's cute. The players huddled up and played for each other while the staff simultaneous "lost" the locker room? You clearly haven't been around the team throughout the past four years because the staff is heavily involved.
It is abundantly clear last year was a throwaway until the players got together and decided to make the best of it. Tommy did very little last season by way of coaching. Love had all the influence and his troops followed him into battle... well, some of them at least. We know this as KJ bolted as soon as he could. Go ahead, tell me KJ was scared of Dwayne Aristode. After tooting his horn for all his Heart that he put in two-ways. Lol
KJ's injury was devastating. That was the single factor in his limited PT, which led to his departure.
His shot fell apart and he unfortunately became a liability, which sucks because his defense and aggression under the basket are tremendous.
A healthy Lewis will be missed in Tucson.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on June 14, 2025, 05:08:44 AMKJ's injury was devastating. That was the single factor in his limited PT, which led to his departure.
His shot fell apart and he unfortunately became a liability, which sucks because his defense and aggression under the basket are tremendous.
A healthy Lewis will be missed in Tucson.
Well, he is gone, but he didn't get replaced by recruiting. He just was treated poorly and moved on like many other recruits. Tommy brought nobody in that could play experienced College Basketball with that type of grit. Before you pop off about the ALMIGHTY ARISTODE, let him play some of those high level OOC games at 25-30min as 6th Man and see how he does before comparing.
It is a Two Way Game and right now we only have basically 1 guy who can play Two Ways with Experience.
So no, I do not buy that an injury that led to a "broken shot" in a very tight window to compete in was the reason Tommy kicked him to the curb. If it was the injury, then he has had time to heal. If it is the faux story that his dream was to play for the ALLLLLLMIGHTY Hoyas of Georgetown, then LMAO because that just can circle back to how Arizona was well on it's way to being a proverbial Georgetown with far less Accolade and Tradition before Sean "The Penguin" Miller came and Saved the Entire program from becoming 100% irrelevant.
SORRY TO ROY HIBBERT AND OTTO PORTER JR who I knowwww are watching this post.
I sincerely hope KJ Lewis helps lead the Hoyas to a Big Dance Bid.
That is just stupid and really makes no sense. KJ was not forced out/ He was encouraged to find the best opportunities for him. At the same time UofA was going to overrecruit him. KJ was a great on defense and a liability on offense. Will be the same for Georgetown.
KJ's 3P% dropped in HALF from his freshman year, and specifically fell apart when he started wearing the wrap on his shooting hand. There's a direct correlation with the decline of his shot.
Aristode has potential but I don't know if he's the guy to immediately replace him. The talent exists but he has to be fully recovered from his injury. I personally think the SF position will be a committee.