Mykhailiuk sees action at World Cup

By Gary Bedore     Sep 2, 2014

Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk of Ukraine competes during the U16 Eurobasket 2013 first-round match between Ukraine and Latvia at Palace of Sport in Kiev, Ukraine, on Aug. 8, 2013.

Kansas University freshman Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk had zero points, one assist, one turnover and one rebound while playing nine minutes in Ukraine’s 64-58 victory over Turkey on Tuesday at the FIBA World Cup in Spain.

The 6-foot-8 Mykhailiuk went 0-for-2 from the field, missing one three-point try for Ukraine (2-1), which next will meet the United States on Thursday.

Mykhailiuk, who at 17 is by far the youngest player in the tourney, has scored four points off 1-of-6 shooting (0-3 from three, 2-5 from the line) while playing two of the three games. He had four points off 1-of-4 shooting (2-5 from line) in his World Cup debut against Finland on Sunday.

“I was calm, but at the same time with my first shots I was so scared… I may not look scared, but my first shot was like, ‘Oh, damn,”’ Mykhailiuk told hoopshype.com in an article at the Web address http://hoopshype.com/interviews/sierra/catching-up-with-kansas-recruit-sviatoslav-mykhailiuk.

“It’s hard because I’m young and physically it’s very hard,” he added of playing against grown men at the Cup and practicing with them for a couple weeks before the start of the event. “But in some ways, it’s also easier because the veteran guys know what they need to do on the court and are in the right spots.”

He was asked why he decided to play college ball at KU instead of pro ball in Europe leading up to the NBA.

“I like U.S. basketball and I want to try myself in the NCAA. It was my dream to play in the NCAA and I think it’s a good opportunity to show what I can do and go to the NBA. My parents told me that it was my choice and my life. They gave me some advice, but in the end I just made my choice.”

Of KU, he said: “It’s one of the biggest schools, one of the greatest coaches. I think they will help me develop and reach my goals more than other colleges. Virginia and Oregon and some other colleges were interested in me, but it came down to Kansas or Virginia.

“For the last years, a lot of good NBA players have gone from Kansas to the NBA. Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid this year, but in the past also Paul Pierce, Mario Chalmers or Kirk Hinrich. I’m really expecting Kansas to help me reach my goals,” he added, indicating his favorite Jayhawk was Pierce.

Asked his expectations for his freshman season, he said: “I think I will try to help my team and earn my time on the court and develop myself.”

As far as whether he looked at college as a “long-term commitment” Mykhailiuk said: “We will see.”

Read the Journal-World’s recent interview with Mykhailiuk here.

Dime considers KU: Malik Dime, a 6-9 sophomore forward from Indian Hills Community College, will visit KU, Iowa State, Arkansas and Washington, according to Brad Winton of jucorecruiting.com.

“Dime is extremely active on the glass and moves very well for his size. He sprints the floor very well on both ends and changes the game defensively with his ability to block and alter shots,” Winton writes. “He has good hands and plays well above the rim. Dime will continue to develop his low post game this season and as he arrives at the next level. He has a unique combination of size, length, athleticism and coordination that make his ceiling very high.”

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