Playing in his homeland of Ukraine, Roman Gumenyuk is beginning to play better each game for the Pulsar Rivne team.

The 21-year-old player is slowly becoming a force under the basket. When you weigh in at a hefty 107 kilograms (236 pounds) and stand at 2.2 meters (7’3”) tall, it’s not hard to take up quite a bit of space in the paint.

His Superleague averages over 16 games are 6.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.   But, over the last four games Gumenyuk has seen those numbers increase to 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds.  He has also had 1.5 blocks per game in those last four.

Roman was a major factor in the team advancing to the Cup of Ukraine Final Four. He scored an impressive 14 points and posted 11 rebounds in just 22 minutes of his team’s 85-69 win over Sumykimprom to get to the finals.

Gumenyuk feels his numbers are getting better because his teammates have come to trust his ability more.  Therefore they are passing him the ball more,  “My job is to get open, get the ball and score,” said Gumenyuk.

To him it is solid play that builds his confidence and helps him contribute to winning as a team.  The odds would seem to indicate that Roman is coming of age as a good, solid threat under the basket.

Even so, the giant’s strength around the basket needs to improve.  He still is developing and growing into his body, but we won’t truly know where his potential ends for many years to come.

Roman hails from the small village of Tlumach. With only 10,000 population, the village was more interested in soccer or volleyball that basketball. After moving to Bila Tserkya, Gumenyuk began to develop as a basketball player.

Roman is very aware that it will take a lot of hard work for him to achieve his goal of being an outstanding basketball player. But he is prepared to do whatever it takes.   (by Bob Bagley, basketball betting)

Links and Resources: Roman Gumenyuk of Ukraine (Interbasket), Gumenyuk looks to make his mark in Ukraine (FIBA), Roman Gumenyuk Profile (DraftExpress.com), Roman Gumenyuk Pictures (basket.LV)