With the NBA Draft quickly approaching, many teams are losing impact players, and Arizona is no exception. The Wildcats took a major hit with the departure of Carter Bryant, who is expected to be a lottery pick in several weeks.
Naturally, that kind of loss affects a team’s total outlook. HC Tommy Lloyd is working hard to fill the void, but finding a capable replacement for a future NBA prospect is never easy. Enter Ivan Kharchenkov, a promising 6’7” wing with elite defensive skills but a shooting inconsistency that raises questions.
Whether Lloyd can refine his game and turn him into a key contributor remains the biggest talking point heading into the Wildcats’ next season.
Arizona, Tommy Lloyd’s Concerns Grow Over Carter Bryant Replacement
Ivan Kharchenkov, a Russian-German wing who plays for German basketball powerhouse Bayern Munich, has joined the Arizona Wildcats as part of their 2025 recruiting class.
He is expected to help fill Carter Bryant’s void. Despite his limited role last season, Bryant was a key piece for the Wildcats, and his departure leaves a significant gap that head coach Tommy Lloyd must address.
2025 class, 6’7 🇩🇪Wing Ivan Kharchenkov has committed to Arizona, sources tell Eurohopes.
Kharchenkov, one of the TOP players available in the class, has been one of the most productive 2006-born age group for German powerhouse Bayern Munich. Impact player for the Wildcats. pic.twitter.com/cC9M1c0XHn
— Eurohopes (@Eurohopes) June 2, 2025
However, the brutal truth for Lloyd is that the 18-year-old may not be as effective as he initially hoped. His defensive skills and size are promising, but his shooting struggles raise concerns about whether he can truly replace Bryant’s impact on the court.
In a recent discussion on his “Locked On College Basketball” channel, analyst Andy Patton addressed this issue, stating, “This is Kchenkov coming in. He’s going to—he’s kind of a good defender, great size for his position on the wing.”
He added, “Kind of a struggling outside shooter, so it’ll be interesting to see if he can find the offense and that rhythm for Coach Lloyd in the Wildcats. But a talented player who should play big minutes right away and help supplant the loss of Carter Bryant, who’s likely to be a lottery pick in the NBA Draft despite a fairly limited role last year for the ‘Cats.”
Kharchenkov, a promising forward from Germany, brings great size and strong defensive skills to the court. He averaged an impressive 17.7 points per game for Bayern Munich and was reliable around the rim, making 62% of his two-point shots. But from beyond the arc, he struggled, shooting just 27%.
Arizona’s 2025 recruiting class ranks No. 1 in the nation. It includes three five-star prospects and three international talents, with Kharchenkov being one of them.
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His potential is clear, and no one doubts his ability to contribute right away. However, his inconsistent shooting has raised those serious concerns because they didn’t just appear recently. It’s something that’s followed him from the start of his career.
Some believe that with better coaching and more time in Arizona’s training system, he could improve his shot. But this isn’t a case of a player simply falling out of rhythm. His shooting has always been a work in progress. That’s why the concerns are real.
Now, it’s up to head coach Lloyd to help him grow and find his role within a highly competitive roster.
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