Svi Mykhailiuk’s European summer experience already off to ideal start

By Staff     Jun 13, 2016

Kansas guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (10) gets to the bucket between Connecticut forward Phillip Nolan (0) and guard Jalen Adams (2) during the first half on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. At left is Kansas forward Carlton Bragg Jr.

While his Kansas basketball teammates entertain young campers and address their own areas in need of on-court improvements [this summer in Lawrence][1], Svi Mykhailiuk certainly isn’t slacking off during his tour of Europe with Ukraine’s Under 20 national team.

In preparation for the Under 20 European Championships in Finland, Mykhailiuk and his Ukrainian teammates spent the past few days at the 2016 adidas Eurocamp, in Italy.

DraftExpress.com covered the international basketball showcase in depth, and it appears Mykhailiuk truly is getting a chance to shine.

On the [first day of action][2], which happened to be the KU wing’s 19th birthday, the man known in Lawrence as “Svi” scored 19 points, made 8 of 21 shots and went 3-for-9 from behind the 3-point line.

[Day 2 brought more success][3], with Mykhailiuk reportedly continued to show “solid” defensive ability, and put up 14 points in 29 minutes, as Ukraine rolled against France’s Under 20 squad. Again, “Svi for three” proved a common theme, with the 6-foot-8 prospect from Cherkasy going 4-for-10 from deep.

Kansas guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk comes away with a steal from Kansas State guard Barry Brown (5) during the second half on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016 at Allen Fieldhouse.

https://vine.co/v/iLOOKdYqg3n

Finally, Mykhailiuk [closed out his adidas Eurocamp experience][4] in style, posting a triple-double — 12 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists — versus the Under 18 USA Select Team. DraftExpress reported it was “arguably his best all-around game of the Eurocamp.” From downtown, the Kansas junior-to-be made 4 of 11, including successful 3-pointers on catches and off the dribble.

According to the DraftExpress report, Mykhailiuk got a chance on this stage of his summer trip to stand out as a primary ball handler, too — a role he only took on in cameo stints this past year with the Jayhawks, as Frank Mason III and Devonté Graham seldom needed to relinquish the keys to the offense.

Mykhailiuk first made a name for himself at the 2014 Nike Hoops Summit, and this week the evolving basketball prospect reminded onlookers he is more than just a spot-up shooter.

DraftExpress.com reported “Svi” also stood out as a primary ball handler:

> “Mykhailiuk proved comfortable
> operating out of ball screens as he
> regularly whipped passes to the roll
> man and the weak side shooter…
> Mykhailiuk is able to see over the top
> of the defense, and while he’s a
> capable — yet not overly polished —
> ball handler, he’s quick enough to
> turn the corner and find teammates
> while on the move. The Cherkasy native
> was also able to turn several of his
> 11 rebounds into transition buckets,
> pushing the ball fluidly up the floor
> and creating scoring opportunities
> with no-look and behind-the-back
> passes.”

It should be pointed out, too, that Mykhailiuk was not by any means a perfect player during his standout performance. According to DraftExpress, he missed all 6 of his 2-point field goals and failed to finish on a pair of dunks against France.

> “He also had some struggles creating
> high-percentage offense in isolation
> situations, and proved to be a bit
> streaky as a shooter for the majority
> of the camp,” the report stated.

Regardless of the ups and downs that come during Mykhailiuk’s international competition this summer, each part of his summer abroad will serve him well in his development, just as the World University Games helped many of the Jayhawks a year ago.

This was just the first of many chances for Mykhailiuk — currently projected as [the 25th pick in the first round][5] of the 2017 NBA Draft by DraftExpress — to take on new challenges and expand his perimeter strengths this offseason. More will come from July 16-24, in Helskinki, at FIBA’s U20 European Championship tournament.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BGbng4TJkFV/

By the time Mykhailiuk returns to Lawrence, he’ll find himself in an ideal spot for a breakout season. Opponents surely won’t overlook the young Ukrainian prospect, but he won’t have the burden of carrying a team, as the Jayhawks appear loaded yet again.

If the new-and-improved “Svi” currently on display in Europe can bring that play-making, off-the-dribble offensive game back with him to the U.S. and he finds ways in his third college season to become more assertive both in transition and in the half court, imagine how difficult it will be for KU foes to defend the likes of Mason, Graham, Carlton Bragg Jr., Josh Jackson and Landen Lucas.

Mykhailiuk might not even start next season, but it seems as if he is well on his way to taking his game to new heights.

[1]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2016/jun/08/josh-jackson-survives-hard-fall-unscathed-thrills-/?mens_basketball
[2]: http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2016-adidas-Eurocamp-Day-One-5553
[3]: http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2016-adidas-Eurocamp-Day-Two-5555
[4]: http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2016-adidas-Eurocamp-Day-Three-5557/
[5]: http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2017/

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