Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk: “It was great to return and help Ukraine”

Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk: “It was great to return and help Ukraine” AI

Utah Jazz guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk says he was glad to rejoin the Ukraine national team this summer as part of World Cup qualifying. He played four games, averaging 23.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists, and says the stint kept him match-fit. Mykhailiuk’s return boosted Ukraine’s World Cup qualifying push and helped an NBA player sharpen form just before the Jazz’s preseason.

Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk told Sport.ua that returning to the Ukraine national team this summer was “great” and that helping the team win matches improved their chances of qualifying for the World Cup — an achievement the country could reach only a second time in its history.

Mykhailiuk played four games for Ukraine during the summer, averaging 23.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He said national-team play accelerates on-court repetitions because players move from summer training into full 5-on-5 games earlier, which helps maintain basketball-specific form.

The Utah Jazz held a media day ahead of their preseason; the club’s first exhibition is scheduled for 5 October against the Denver Nuggets, giving Mykhailiuk the chance to carry his national-team minutes into the NBA season.

Know what Kyiv knows.