Svi Mykhailiuk

BIOGRAPHY

Sviatoslav “Svi” Yuriyovych Mykhailiuk, Ukrainian by birth and celebrated professional basketball player, currently showcases his talent on the courts as a member of the Utah Jazz in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on June 10, 1997, he quickly made a name for himself not only in his native land but also on a global sports platform.

Raised in Cherkasy, Ukraine, Svi has always been immersed in an environment that values education. His mother, Inna, devoted her career to molding minds as a high school biology teacher, whereas his father, Iurri, lends his expertise in history as a college professor. Svi, too, flourished academically and athletically at Cherkasy First City Gymnasia (high school). However, it was on the court that his career trajectory would be determined.

Before attending the University of Kansas, Svi played for Cherkaski Mavpy in the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague from 2012 to 2014, and for the Ukraine national team at the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Upon receiving offers from Virginia, Iowa State, Oregon, and Kansas, he chose the latter on May 21, 2014.

In his freshman season, he averaged 21.3 minutes a game and achieved a remarkable feat, scoring 11 points in the Orlando Classic Championship game against Michigan State. Furthermore, he became the youngest player in the Big 12 Conference history at only 17 years old. Amidst the glory and success, Svi returned with greater determination during his sophomore year, boasting an average of 5.4 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game in the 2015-2016 season. Not satisfied with his performance, Svi broke his personal college career scoring record by scoring 23 points against Austin Peay in the first round of the 2016 NCAA basketball tournament.

Svi’s momentum ran into his junior year when he decided to enter the 2017 NBA draft. However, he exercised his right to return for his senior year without hiring an agent. That season, he accomplished more than he anticipated, breaking school records in scoring a high of 27 points per game and scoring a whopping total of 115 3-pointers.

The year 2018 was particularly transformative; Svi was selected as the 47th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. Following that, he signed a three-year contract with the Lakers worth $4.6 million. Afterward, his career seemed to be a never-ending journey of transformations and new beginnings as Svi was transferred to various NBA teams. He was traded from the Lakers to the Detroit Pistons and later to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019 and 2021 respectively. In August 2021, he signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Raptors, followed by a brief contract with the New York Knicks, and later on, Portland Trail Blazers in 2022.

Svi’s continuous efforts were finally rewarded when he signed a one-year deal with the Boston Celtics in August 2023. In the 2023-24 season, he made an iconic debut in the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, leaving everyone astounded. He received a well-deserved NBA championship title with the Celtics and became the second Ukrainian to play in the NBA finals.

Svi’s career highlight so far has been his signing with the Utah Jazz in August 2024. On top of his NBA contributions, he also actively represented Ukraine in several international fixtures. He played an instrumental part in Ukrainian national junior teams standing out in the Under-16 Championship and the 2016 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship. Moreover, he was part of the senior men’s Ukraine national basketball team at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

Svi’s arduous journey is not just limited to attaining remarkable successes but also taking firm stances for his nation. Amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Svi, along with Alex Len, another NBA player from Ukraine, released a quantifiable statement condemning the war. They sought unity and resilience as their ultimate hope for Ukraine, standing firm with their country amid difficult times. As his career continues to unfold, Svi Mykhailiuk is indeed a living testament to commitment, perseverance, and the power of sports to inspire and make a difference.