I couldn't find any threads about Kyrylo Fesenko, the 7'1", 300 pound gorilla from the Ukraine, so I decided to stsart one. He is the fourth Ukrainian to play in the NBA. Fesenko is 19-years-old and big, so obviously he was gobbled up by an NBA team. He was drafted by Philadelphia and then traded to the Utah Jazz. It's rumored that he will go to the NBDL for a few weeks, but Jerry Sloan must like him because he kept him on the roster this long. I'm inclined to say that this youngster is a massive project because he's not even listed on Ukraine's NT.
I have no idea whatsoever if the kid is any good or not, but he seems pretty funny. I think I remember that he actually shaved his name into the back of his head so people would know who he was.
Posing with 50 8-year-old Ukrainian fans
Behind-the-back dunk
I have no idea whatsoever if the kid is any good or not, but he seems pretty funny. I think I remember that he actually shaved his name into the back of his head so people would know who he was.
Utah Jazz Blog -- Salt Lake City Tribune, November 8, 2007
...With the ESPN cameras in the locker room before the game, rookie Kyrylo Fesenko walked over and put an arm around Kirilenko and smiled for the cameras. Most players just ignore the cameramen and keep on tying their shoes or whatever, but Fesenko clearly wanted to be on TV.
Fesenko also had a funny moment when we were in L.A. for the Lakers game. He sat right in Phil Jackson's customized chair as the Jazz were out shooting before the game. It's not hard to figure out which chair is Jackson's - - it's the one that's two stories taller than his assistant's.
Almond tried to get Fesenko to move but the 20-year-old Ukrainian wouldn't budge...
...With the ESPN cameras in the locker room before the game, rookie Kyrylo Fesenko walked over and put an arm around Kirilenko and smiled for the cameras. Most players just ignore the cameramen and keep on tying their shoes or whatever, but Fesenko clearly wanted to be on TV.
Fesenko also had a funny moment when we were in L.A. for the Lakers game. He sat right in Phil Jackson's customized chair as the Jazz were out shooting before the game. It's not hard to figure out which chair is Jackson's - - it's the one that's two stories taller than his assistant's.
Almond tried to get Fesenko to move but the 20-year-old Ukrainian wouldn't budge...
Kyrylo Fesnko is a Funny Guy -- Matt Watson, June 16, 2006, Detroit Pistons Blog
About halfway through the 70-minute workout, Bucks assistant coach Brian James told the players he wanted them to “put the ball on the floor,” meaning take a dribble before shooting. Fesenko was first up, and after taking a pass near the baseline, he softly set the ball on the court and walked away looking puzzled as if to say, “Why did you want me to do that?”
After pausing to take in what happened, the coaches, including head coach Terry Stott and Dave Babcock, the Bucks’ director of player personnel, broke into laughter.
“Well, he’s coachable,” James said as another coach explained to Fesenko what the jargon meant. “He did exactly what I told him to do.”
Fesenko smiled about it but did not seem to think it was as amusing.
“I just don’t understand,” he said in rough English. “He told me to put it down. I don’t know what it means.”
The last drill of the workout was a two-on-two, full-court game. When it was announced that the next team to score won, Fesenko, who was taking out the ball under the far baseline, threw it off Grier’s backside, hopped back inbounds and raced down for the dunk.
The other players, including teammate Bennerman, watched in confusion. The coaches threw up their hands, laughed again and counted the point as Fesenko walked back as if nothing was unusual.
About halfway through the 70-minute workout, Bucks assistant coach Brian James told the players he wanted them to “put the ball on the floor,” meaning take a dribble before shooting. Fesenko was first up, and after taking a pass near the baseline, he softly set the ball on the court and walked away looking puzzled as if to say, “Why did you want me to do that?”
After pausing to take in what happened, the coaches, including head coach Terry Stott and Dave Babcock, the Bucks’ director of player personnel, broke into laughter.
“Well, he’s coachable,” James said as another coach explained to Fesenko what the jargon meant. “He did exactly what I told him to do.”
Fesenko smiled about it but did not seem to think it was as amusing.
“I just don’t understand,” he said in rough English. “He told me to put it down. I don’t know what it means.”
The last drill of the workout was a two-on-two, full-court game. When it was announced that the next team to score won, Fesenko, who was taking out the ball under the far baseline, threw it off Grier’s backside, hopped back inbounds and raced down for the dunk.
The other players, including teammate Bennerman, watched in confusion. The coaches threw up their hands, laughed again and counted the point as Fesenko walked back as if nothing was unusual.
Posing with 50 8-year-old Ukrainian fans
Behind-the-back dunk
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