In search of more overseas shootings, the Knicks signed former Kansas star Svi Mykhailiuk on a partly guaranteed one-year deal, According to The Athletic.
The 6-foot-8, 25-year-old from his native Ukraine played 56 games for the Toronto Raptors last season, averaging 4.6 points while shooting 39 percent from the field and 31 percent from depths. It’s career shooting at 35 percent of the depths.
“Shoot, it would be good for them,” the former Kansas and Saints assistant. John’s coach Norm Roberts said over the phone.
“He can shoot [heck] Off the ball, he’s more athletic than you think.”
He was the 47th overall pick in 2018 by the Lakers, and has also played for the Thunder and Pistons.
“He has a deep, deep reach and he has a very quick layoff,” Roberts said. “He can do more than just shoot because he can do some things off the bounce playing his fake shot. I think he’s a really good player. That’s a great choice for them because if they need to shoot, he can definitely provide that.”
He helped Ukraine reach the last 16 at the Eurobasket tournament in Berlin this month, scoring 25 points in a win over Italy, 18 in a win over Estonia and 17 in a win over Great Britain.
After Russia invaded Ukraine earlier this year, he and fellow NBA player Alex Lane issued a statement.
A great tragedy has befallen our dear homeland, Ukraine. “We categorically condemn the war,” Mikhailuk and Lin said in the statement. Ukraine is a peaceful and sovereign country inhabited by people who want to control their own destiny.
“We pray for their families, friends, relatives and all people on the territory of Ukraine. We hope to end this terrible war as soon as possible. Dear fellow Ukrainians, wait! Our strength is in unity! We are with you!”
