The Arizona Wildcats, coached by Tommy Lloyd, just nailed the commitment of a top prospect outside of the United States. On Tuesday, July 1, @DraftExpress on X confirmed that Bayern Munich forward Ivan Kharchenkov has committed to play for the Wildcats in the 2025-26 college basketball season after a stellar career in the Euroleague that saw him win back-to-back championships in 2024 and in 2025.
This development immediately bolsters the Wildcats’ roster for the 2025-26 campaign as they will be bringing in Kharchenkov, who possesses immense skill as a wing. The German is best known for his length and size in his 6-foot-7 frame, wherein he has shown great potential offensively and defensively with his athleticism.
“NEWS: German wing Ivan Kharchenkov has committed to Arizona, he told ESPN. The 6’7, 18-year old played rotation minutes for Euroleague club Bayern Munich. Considered one of the top prospects in his age group in Europe,” @DraftExpress on X captioned.
NEWS: German wing Ivan Kharchenkov has committed to Arizona, he told ESPN.
The 6’7, 18-year old played rotation minutes for Euroleague club Bayern Munich. Considered one of the top prospects in his age group in Europe. pic.twitter.com/xhMESC2FCa
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) July 1, 2025
Kharchenkov now joins coach Lloyd’s Arizona squad that went all the way to the Sweet 16 of this year’s NCAA tournament. They were defeated by coach Mark Pope’s Kentucky Wildcats by seven points, 100-93, as the Wildcats look on to next year, hoping to crack the NCAA Final Four and beyond.
Ivan Kharchenkov Says It Was a Hard Decision To Leave His Home
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As Ivan Kharchenkov confirmed the news that he will be leaving Bayern Munich and heading to the United States to play for the Arizona Wildcats, he let out a statement through the team’s official website wherein he speaks about how difficult the decision he made was; albeit, Kharchenkov is looking forward to the new endeavor in his budding basketball career.
“It was a very difficult decision for me to leave my home, because this is where I grew up. I want to thank everyone who supported me along the way starting with the coaches, the assistants, individual and athletic trainers and of course, the physios and doctors. I also want to thank everyone in the office and on the campus. And last but not least, my teammates and especially the fans, you’ve all become family to me,” Kharchenkov was quoted as saying.
“That’s why I know I’ll always be able to come back here,” he concluded.
Kharchekov now joins a Wildcats squad that finished the 2024-25 season with an overall record of 24-13 (14-6, Big 12). In the 2024-25 Bundesliga campaign, Kharchenkov averaged 5.0 points and 1.8 rebounds in around 12.4 minutes per contest to cap off his career in Europe thus far.
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