Ivan Kharchenkov 6'7 2025 SF Has Committed To ARIZONA!

[WILD]

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.

[KansasCityCats]

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".

[arxpert]

Tommy the Commie. Can't see this guy getting minutes.

[WILD]

https://x.com/kalidrafts/status/1929616514820591778?t=f8b7LLM4pTLIV13fwH-vUg&s=19

[arxpert]

Posts like these remind me how Tommy can't hold talent. Paulius situation all over again.

[Jdmarti]

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.

[mvpreed2]

Welcome to the family that is Arizona Ivan!
We are glad to have you on board.
#BearDown

[mvpreed2]

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

[KansasCityCats]

Posts 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...

[arxpert]

Retention 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"