NBA players ignore Ukraine national team call-up: reasons for refusal, injuries, and documentation issues
The Ukrainian national basketball team is preparing for its debut in the high-stakes pre-qualifying stage of the 2027 World Championship.
However, recent developments have saddened both fans and basketball experts across the country.
The Basketball Federation of Ukraine officially announced the squad that would represent the nation internationally, but it quickly emerged that several leading players from top NBA teams chose to decline the call-up.
This includes Aleksei Lene from the Los Angeles Lakers, Sviatoslav Mikhailyuk from the Utah Jazz, and Dmytro Skapintsev, who plays in the NBA Development League for the Rip City Rimicks.
Their refusal has dealt a blow to the team, as these players are critical contributors and could significantly influence the team’s chances in upcoming matches.
Additionally, due to injuries, Vitaliy Zotov and Andriy Voinalovich will miss the first game, and Artem Pustovoy will not be able to join the team in August due to family reasons.
Rostyslav Novitskyi also faced documentation issues in the United States, complicating the situation further.
The Ukrainian squad is scheduled to play its first match on August 6th away against Switzerland, with Slovakia as another opponent in Group A.
It is also worth mentioning that a Latvian basketballer previously refused to participate in a tournament match against Russian teams.
Moreover, the promising Ukrainian player has recently signed a contract with an NBA club, opening new horizons for Ukrainian basketball on the world stage.
Overall, this situation highlights the real challenges faced by Ukrainian basketball on the international scene and emphasizes the importance of nurturing and developing young talents.