Nick KrugSviatoslav Mykhailiuk’s mom, Inna, and dad, Iurri, chatted with Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self with an assist from their son on Saturday morning in Allen Fieldhouse.
“No, they don’t (speak English). I (translated),” Mykhailiuk, Kansas University’s freshman guard from Cherkasy, Ukraine, said after scoring five points off 2-of-4 shooting with his parents cheering enthusiastically during KU’s 86-54 victory over Texas Tech.
“They said they are really happy, like me, that they came and ‘welcome,”’ Mykhailiuk added.
Svi’s dad is a college history professor; his mom is a high school biology teacher. Svi said his dad has been in the U.S. before.
“They arrived last night. I’m happy they are here. I’ve not seen them for four months,” Svi said. “It was fun (playing before them). I’m just really happy they came here.”
He said he did receive the long-awaited hugs that Self said he hoped Svi would get.
“It’s good to see them,” Svi stated simply after his 14-minute stint.
