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There's a great story of how when they were younger
in Kyiv, Slava and his teammates used to beat up on Vitali for Klitschko's sparring sessions! (I could be wrong, but I think
they may have even been paid to do so.) The basketball team shared a building with the boxers, and they were the only ones
with size that could be found to go against Vitali. Win or lose, Vitali leaves for Kyiv on Sunday to help in the new election
for Ukraine.
Hungry?Try Slava's Borscht
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Born: 4 April 1979
Karapyshi, Kyivska
Oblast;
grew up in Kyiv, Ukraine,
attended Kyiv Institute of Physical Culture
Ht/Wt: 6'10"/250 lbs
Pos:
Forward, Power Forward
Pro: Signed with Lakers as a free agent 14 August 2000, re-signed in 2002 and 2004; Entered
1998 draft
Playing Career:
- 1999-00 BK Kyiv (Ukraine)
- 1998-99 Budivelnyk being transferred, in November,
to BC Alytus Alita (Lithuania)
- 1997-98 Budivelnyk Kyiv (Ukraine)
- Started playing with Dendi Kyiv (Ukraine)
Of
Note:
- NBA Championship member 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons
- 1998-99 Lithuanian All Star Game
- 1996-97 Ukrainian
National Championship winner
- Member, Ukrainian National Team
- Scored 12 pts in first NBA start, an 88-82 win over
the 76ers on 25 Dec 2001, for injured Shaquille O'Neal
- Grew up idolizing Michael Jordan and Arvydas Sabonis
- Came
to US not knowing English and takes classes on the language, has had difficulty in making adjustment, aided by Alexander Volkov
when first with LA
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