Russian prospect Ivan Kharchenkov was not expected to be part of Gordon Herbert’s plans during his first season in charge of the German club, but after only a handful of games, he seems to have carved out a small role in their rotation.
Bayern Munich is one of the biggest surprises of the EuroLeague season so far. They have a 6-2 record through eight rounds of play and are in a four-way tie for first place. Their two losses came back-to-back in Rounds 2 and 3. This strong start came after a summer when their former head coach, Pablo Laso, spontaneously resigned after only one season in charge and left for a job with Baskonia.
Big names such as Isaac Bonga and Serge Ibaka departed as well, and except for Shabazz Napier none of their signings were regarded as the quality of player that could help change a team's fortunes. But here we are. Napier and Carsen Edwards are racking up points, Johannes Voigtmann and Devin Booker are providing quality big-man play, and they’ve made things work with their wings. Part of that solution has been 18-year-old Russian prospect Ivan Kharchenkov.
Kharchenkov hasn’t stepped into a massive role or even one with significant impact, but he’s up to nearly eight minutes per game in EuroLeague action and that’s eight more than anyone expected heading into the season. Part of the reason he’s been serviceable for coach Herbert is his size. Kharchenkov is 6-foot-6 and has nearly 230 pounds of muscle. He is shredded and is not a youngster that more experienced veterans can punish physically.
Kharchenkov’s stats are modest - 2.8 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game on 38/15/87 shooting splits - but he’s shooting the three with confidence and in domestic league play has found plenty of opportunities to score as a cutter. Additionally, when driving lanes are left open he attacks them at full force, and given his size, there aren’t many opposing defenders who want to get in front of him once he gets momentum.Bayern’s 18-year-old guard making his mark in the EuroLeague and BBL.
Reinforcements are now arriving. Former Chicago Bulls wing Onuralp Bitim is coming back to Europe, having signed a deal with Fenerbahce but he’s expected to join Bayern Munich on loan for the upcoming season. That could take away the minutes Kharchenkov may have become accustomed to or mean less three-guard lineups. Regardless of how it all shakes out, Kharchenkov has proven capable of making winning plays at the EuroLeague level at only 18 years old.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
16 Celebs Who Worked Normal Jobs While Being FamousIn her memoir, Drew Barrymore said, 'I could tell my boss, who had hired me on the novel idea of having a washed-up former child actor behind the counter, was patient with all my learning curves but was also irritated with me.'
Read more »
Biden Accuses Musk of Hypocrisy, Claims He Once Worked Illegally in U.S.Musk is one of the most prominent Trump donors in the 2024 election and has been accused by Biden of not having had the right to work in the U.S. previously.
Read more »
Step-by-step process: How alleged $1M Houston-based teacher cheating scheme workedStep-by-step process: How alleged $1M Houston-based cheating scheme worked.
Read more »
Biden calls out Elon Musk over report that he worked in the US illegallyThe Washington Post says Musk came to Palo Alto on a student visa but never enrolled.
Read more »
Biden hits Musk over report Tesla CEO worked in U.S. illegallyThe Washington Post reported Musk arrived in the U.S. for a graduate program at Stanford “but never enrolled in courses, working instead on his startup.
Read more »
Biden slams Musk over report the Tesla CEO once worked in US illegallyThe newspaper reported that Musk worked illegally in the country while on a student visa
Read more »