Ukraine has presented the world basketball with a number of outstanding athletes

Ukraine has presented the world basketball with a number of outstanding athletes who have left a noticeable mark on the international arena. Here are the top 15 Ukrainian basketball players who played at the world level:
1. Oleksiy Len
Oleksiy Len is one of the most famous Ukrainian basketball players of our time. He was selected at the 2013 NBA Draft as the No. 5 pick by the Phoenix Suns. Len proved to be a reliable center due to his size (height 213 cm) and ability to play both defense and offense. Over the years in the NBA he has changed several clubs, including Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards. Oleksiy consistently demonstrates a high level of play, which makes him the leader among Ukrainian players in terms of points in the league.
2. Vitaliy Potapenko
Vitaliy Potapenko made his NBA debut in 1996, becoming one of the first Ukrainians in the league. His NBA career lasted more than 10 years. He played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Seattle Supersonics and Sacramento Kings. Potapenko was known for his play under the basket, solid defense and aggressive rebounding. He scored almost 4000 points during his career, remaining one of the most prolific Ukrainians in NBA history. After finishing his playing career Vitaliy started coaching in the NBA.
3. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk is a promising offensive guard who made his NBA debut in 2018. His journey to the top began with playing for the University of Kansas in the NCAA, where he set a record for the most three-point shots. In the NBA, Sviatoslav has played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Toronto Raptors. His accurate shots from beyond the arc, versatility and work ethic allowed him to become one of the top-3 most productive Ukrainians in the NBA.
4. Stanislav Medvedenko
Stanislav Medvedenko is one of the few Ukrainians to become an NBA champion. He won the title twice with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2001 and 2002. His NBA career lasted until 2007, when he finished playing for the Atlanta Hawks. Stanislav was characterized by his ability to play under the basket, effective mid-range shots and reliability in key moments.
5. Alexander Volkov
Oleksandr Volkov is a pioneer of Ukrainian basketball in the NBA. He was one of the first players from the USSR to make it to the world’s strongest basketball league. From 1989 to 1992, Alexander played for the Atlanta Hawks. He was also an important figure in the USSR national team, with which he won Olympic gold in 1988. Volkov is also known for his managerial career – he headed the Basketball Federation of Ukraine.
6. Serhiy Lishchuk
Serhiy Lishchuk achieved success in Europe, becoming a two-time Eurocup champion with Spanish Valencia. He was known for his defensive play, his shot-blocking skills and his efficiency. His contribution to Valencia’s success made him one of the most respected Ukrainian players on the European stage. Lishchuk also played for the Ukrainian national team, where he was one of the team leaders.
7. Vyacheslav Kravtsov
Vyacheslav Kravtsov is a tall (215 cm) and powerful center who spent several seasons in the NBA, playing for the Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns. After leaving the NBA, he successfully continued his career with European clubs, including Spanish and Turkish teams. Kravtsov actively plays for the Ukrainian national team, making a significant contribution to its success on the international stage.
8. Dmytro Krivenko (Smoove)
Dmytro Krivenko is not a classic basketball player, but one of the best dunkers in the world. He has twice become the world champion in 3×3 dunks. His exciting performances have brought Ukrainian basketball into the limelight. In 2020, his shot was recognized as the best in the history of FIBA 3×3 World Tour Finals.
9. Artem Pustovoy
Artem Pustovoy is a center who achieved success in strong European championships. He played for Spanish clubs Obradoiro and Barcelona. As a member of Barcelona he participated in the Euroleague, where he proved to be a reliable defender and a player who can effectively finish attacks from under the basket.
10. Sergei Gladir
Sergei Gladir is a versatile attacking guard who has successfully played for European clubs, including Monaco in France. With Monaco he won the French Cup and became one of the team’s leaders in the Eurocup. Sergiy was also an important player of the Ukrainian national team, where his performance and experience helped the team at international tournaments.
11. Evgeniy Pustozvonov
Yevhen Pustozvonov is a famous Ukrainian forward who played for the leading clubs in Ukraine and Europe during his career. He became famous for his accurate shot and versatility, which allowed him to play effectively both on offense and defense. Yevhen played for Budivelnyk, Dnipro, and also participated in international tournaments as a member of the Ukrainian national team. His hard work and determination made him one of the key players of the national team at major championships.
12. Alexander Kolchenko
Alexander Kolchenko is one of the leading Ukrainian attacking defenders, who for many years remained a leader on the domestic scene. He played for such teams as “Chemi” and “Cherkasy Movpa”, and also regularly represented Ukraine in international competitions. Alexander is known for his aggressive style of play, reliable throw and ability to take the initiative in difficult moments. He also won the Ukrainian Championship twice, which strengthened his reputation as one of the best players in the country.
13. Cyril Fesenko
Kirill Fesenko – a tall center (216 cm), who managed to prove himself in the NBA and Europe. In 2007 he debuted in the NBA as part of “Utah Jazz” and spent several seasons in the league. After finishing his career in the NBA, Cyril successfully played in strong European clubs, including Italian and Russian teams. His main trump card was always the game under the ring: picks, blocks and the sure completion of attacks. In the Ukrainian team he was one of the leaders and helped the team to fight for high places at the European championships.
14. Denis Lukashov
Denis Lukasiov is a game-playing defender, known for his speed, ability to organize team play and reliable defense. Denis has played for Ukrainian and foreign clubs, including the Russian “Zenit” and the Polish “Stan”. In the Ukraine team he played a key role, especially in major tournaments such as EuroBasket. Lukásov is distinguished by high basketball intelligence and leadership qualities, due to which he is considered one of the best players in the history of Ukrainian basketball.
15. Maxim Pustozunov
Maxim Pustozvnov – forward, who became known for his successful performances in Ukrainian clubs and national team. He played for “Busievelnik”, “Cherkasy Mawpa” and other teams, where he distinguished himself by his accurate shot and ability to complete attacks both from the perimeter and from under the ring. With the Ukraine team, Maxim played at the European Championships, where he made a significant contribution to the success of the team. His professionalism and experience have made him an important figure both at national and club level.
These players, along with other stars of Ukrainian basketball, demonstrate that Ukrainian athletes can compete successfully on the world stage. Their achievements inspire the country’s young basketball players to new heights.These basketball players have made a significant contribution to the development of Ukrainian basketball and have glorified the country on the world sports arena