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– «Soviet sport» calling?!

 – Kirill was surprised with the call of our writer.

– You have started to interest about me in Russia?

– Do you mean there wasn't interest before?

– Very seldom. But few time there were offers from your clubs.

– Which exactly?

– CSK VVS Samara and Dinamo Moscow region.

– Why didn't you accepted it?

– It's simple. From the very start I set up a goal for myself – NBA. And now I got an offer from there. I dreamed about it from the moment when in the second grade of primary school coach Elena Maltseva came and invited kids to basketball section.

– Russian basketball almost know nothing about you. How was your career developing after that?

– Then there was another coach, who later brought me to Zaporozh'e. Yet later when the team fell apart and I am with the other guys ended up in Mariupol, where we immediately with the second team of "Azovmash" we won the minor League. I was about 15 then. Later was unsuccessful debut in the higher league – we didn't get to playoffs. But next season we won this tournament too. As the result there were two "Azovmash" teams in the main league. That contradicted with the rules of Ukranian Basketball Federation, that's why we were renamed to SC "Mariupol", and then my most fortunate season in career started under famous coach Andrei Podkovyrov.

– What happened during that season?

– I played in the main league, had huge playing time, played pretty good in the paint. But it all finished bad – I was informed they need me in the first team…

– But anyone in your place would be happy jumping because of that!

– And I was happy, untill I understood that in the new team they don't trust me. Played 5—7 minutes, but mostly was warming the bench. They kept telling me: «You will play soon!» But it could go that way so long, the conflict was ready to happen. The management of "Azovmash" needed a silent slave and I had no plans to become one like that. As the result in March 2006 having valid contract with the team, I left them and went to play for "Chercassy's Monkeys".

– Was it possible to solve it in peace?

– It was. But "Azovmash" didn't ned it.

– And what was the reaction of Urkanian Basketball Federation?

– I was disqualified. They forbid me to play not only for the club, but for NT too. I remember when we were coming back with youth NT from Turkey, one of the coaches of main NT called me and informed that "Azovmash" forbid me to play for NT. Neither federation no club had no right to do so. And then they are asking why no one wants to play for Ukranian NT? I am sorry, it just got me. I was always against our previous federation, but now things are getting better.

– And how long you were off the court?

– Finally it wasn't long: only one and half months. At the start I was just practicing with my new club. And then the conflict was solved. "Azovmash" was paid forfeit for me. My fist game for the new team was against your CSK VVS-Samara. I played great "on adrenalin" then. Scored 14 and got 12 rebounds.

But to help Ukranian NT in the Euro-2007 qualifying I can't now. I am not in the application list. Yet I want to stress it, I am patriot and ready to come to NT anytime

– Tell where did that funny name "Chercassy's Monkeys" came from?

– Tell me we don't look like monkeys when we hang on the rims?!

– Sure you are. That question is clear. Please tell, don't you think your decision to move across the ocean is too early?

– I don't think so. Now I have new goal: to prove everybody that I can do well in the NBA.

– You know who you have to fight with for the spot in the roster?

– Yes, sure. Main competitor – Mehmet Okur. And I understand that its unlikely that I can take his place in the fist season.

– Coming back to the draft. 2nd round and number 38 – is it what you have expected?

– There were chances that I could be drafted in the first round, but I won't say I was disappointed.

– To be honest, what team you wanted to be chosen to?

– The one that fights for the championship. Wanted to have more chances to get to the main roster. I remember how happy I was when Philadelphia picked me. But then I looked at my agent who were white as chalk and got calmed immediately.

– Why your agent didn't like that club?

– It doesn't matter whether he liked it or not. Utah has made huge job scouting about me everything. They were serious about picking me and than situation like that. But in 5 minutes my agent called my mobile and shouts: «You are in Utah! They traded for you».

– What was your first thought in that moment?

– There were 3 thoughts in my head then. First – it's cool that I go to the legendary coach as Jerry Sloan. In America I immediately got few advices about him: to keep silent when Sloan talks, always keep jersey under the shorts and never roll down the socks. All because Sloan like order. Second, SLC is located in the mountains. Thus it gives you advantage for practicing. It will be easier to play in flat areas. Plus I am happy for the clean air. And third – there is Andrei Kirilenko in Utah. At least one person I can speak Russian. And I hope he can help me with life adoptation.

– Do you know him personally?

– No, but I really want to make friends with him. I admire this player. Followed him since he was playing for CSKA. Andrei plays perfect defense. His blocks are something phenomenal. I am too defensive player first. I remember I was thinking once: «If Kirilenko can shine on that level, then why can't I?!»


– Do you have another players you admire?

– Michael Jordan and Shaq. O'neal. Shaq was always good example of aggressiveness. And I tried to copy it.

– Are you aggressive person?

– In the game – yes. I remember when within couple months in SC "Mariupol" I got 6 techs and took part in two fights. But in real life I am pretty peaceful.

– Are you ready that in Utah you won't get even 5 minutes playing time, wich were the cause of your conflict with management of "Azovmash".

– Yes, I am ready for that. To be able to practice with NBA team already makes me happy. Plus for moral support my mother comes with me too.

– Did you find house already?

– I will rent apartment in the city. I am rookie, you know…

– I heard you made surprised local reporters when choosing your car…

– Yes-yes. You know, I was driving car only on drivers courses. And then I was asked by your American colleague: «What car do you plan to drive?» I calmly reply, I don't need expensive one since I can't drive well, I will take anything used one, about 3 thousand $ in cost. Reporters laughed and say: «But to be serious?» But I wasn't joking!

– Americans have another sense of humor...

– Right. before the draft, for example, during one of the practices the coach told me to knock ball on the floor. So I took it and put on the floor. Some kind of knock too. But they didn't understood my humor. Later my agent told that it's better not to make jokes here. And once during the practice I had to get opened get the ball and put it in the basket. I cut behind the player few times but never got an alley oop pass, got disappointed and went to the coach. Said, are you sleeping? Or you don't see the court? He didn't reply. Later i found out from my agent that it wasn't a coach, but legendary player of "golden Chicago" Ron Harper. I remember agent told me: «Nobody talked to Harper like that before. He has more championship rings than you have birthmarks on your body!».