With his ability to knock down 3-pointers with consistency and also create his own shot off the dribble, Ivan Kovalchuk has the potential to establish himself as a certifiable trigger man at the ensuing level of play.
All signs indicate that America, and those grit-gauging prep school leagues across the country, will be the ensuing challenge cooking on the the 6-foot-2 sharpshooter's front burner. Ultimately, however, the attribute which separates Kovalchuk from other players of his type is his ability to capitalize on the mid-range and the pull up game.
Kovalchuk's knack for stepping in front of the 3-point line and knocking down that 16 to 18 footer with has been unique as well, particularly in an era where guards are dependent on the 3-point shot.
The ramped up importance in his ability to orchestrate offense as a point guard and feed the post have accelerated his adaptation to the American game. He will likely play the point and the two-guard spot, utilizing both facets of dishing and hitting shots with consistency and rattling off 3-point shots in succession.
"At the next level I will continue to play the sniper position," said Kovalchuck, who learned of the opportunity during a camp with former European Agent and player development Boris ace Karebin. who frequently places Russian and Ukrainian players to high level American prep schools.
"I think this year I am really going to expand my overall game. Beyond shooting and scoring, I could play tight and imposing defense, and I can use my entire arsenal of one on one movements and abilities to score the basketball. I am looking forward to the opportunity to play in America as I watch guys like Klay Thompson and Lebron James. Lebron is a true leader out there on the floor."
"During coach (Boris) Karebin's camp in Lithuania, he helped me with a lot of different parts of my game and taught me a lot of information I didn't know previously," Kovalchuk explained. "He always told me how best to act in certain situations and when to look for my shot and when to make the right pass. He also introduced me to the right people who could open up the door for me to get into America and play against elite level competition, which was my goal from the very start.
The two-guard averaged 13.7 points for a balanced Kyiv-Basket 8 team in the Ukraine last year, turning in 20 games of 4+ 3-pointers made. He led the team in total 3-pointers made and four point plays.
"I think I know what I am getting out of the American game in that it is quicker paced, it is more athletic and it is overall more entertaining than the style played at home. There is certainly more upside to coming here and playing, because you prepare against the best in the world and maybe some future NBA."