Vsevolod Ishchenko

Vsevolod Ishchenko
Всеволод Ищенко
Ishchenko playing for PBC Lokomotiv Kuban in 2026
No. 23 – PBC Lokomotiv Kuban
PositionShooting guard
LeagueVTB United League
Personal information
Born (2005-02-10) 10 February 2005
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight218 lb (99 kg)
Career information
NBA draft2026: 2nd round, 56th overall pick
Drafted byChicago Bulls
Playing career2024–present
Career history
2024–presentLokomotiv Kuban
Career highlights
Stats at NBA.com 
Stats at Basketball Reference 

Vsevolod Ishchenko (Russian: Всеволод Ищенко; born February 10, 2005) is a Russian professional basketball player for the Lokomotiv Kuban in the VTB United League. He declared for the 2026 NBA draft in April 2026 and was selected 56th overall by the Chicago Bulls, who then immediately traded his draft rights to the Dallas Mavericks.[1][2]

Early life and youth career

Ishchenko was born on February 10, 2005 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia.[3] He developed through multiple youth basketball programs in Rostov-on-Don before joining the Lokomotiv Kuban development system.[4] He was MVP of the VTB United Youth League Supercup (2023), first-team All-VTB United Youth League in 2023–24 and averaged 16.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists for Lokomotiv Kuban-2.[5]

Professional career

Lokomotiv Kuban (2024–present)

Ishchenko joined the senior roster of Lokomotiv Kuban in September 2024, competing in the VTB United League.[6] During the 2025–26 season, Ishchenko averaged 8.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.[7] He also played with Lokomotiv Kuban in the Winline Basket Cup, but they were eliminated after the group stage. He was named a VTB United League All-Star,[8] and was named as the VTB United League Young Player of the Year (2025–26) and recorded multiple standout performances, including his first career double-double and a game with 15 points and a season high 6 steals.[9][10] On February 8, 2026, Ishchenko scored a career high 20 points, paired with 4 assists. 3 rebounds, steals, and a block against BC UNICS.[11] Following his conclusion to the 2026 NBA Summer League, it was announced on August 3, 2026 that Ishchenko would be returning to PBC Lokomotiv Kuban for the 2026–27 basketball season.[12][13][14]

NBA draft rights

In April 2026, Ishchenko declared for the 2026 NBA draft.[15][16]

On June 25, 2026, Ishchenko was selected with the 56th overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in the 2026 NBA draft. His draft rights were subsequently traded to the Dallas Mavericks via the Los Angeles Lakers on draft night.[17][18] On July 3, 2026, it was announced that Ishchenko will be participating with the Mavericks during the 2026 NBA Summer League.[19] Ishchenko appeared in all five Summer League games for the Mavericks, and finished with 9.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3 assists in an average of 27.5 minutes.[20][21]

National team career

Ishchenko made his debut for the Russia national basketball team in 2025, appearing in two friendly international games.[22][23]

Player profile

Ishchenko is measured at 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m)[24] and 218 pounds,[25] with a seven foot wingspan.[16] Ishchenko is known for his shot-blocking defense, using his size to get blocks against other players.[26] Outside of his defense, he's known for high motor and physicality which he uses to take contact and grab offensive and defensive rebounds.[27] Despite possessing defensive prowess, Ishchenko is not known to be a dominant scorer,[28] however, he excels at the three-point shot.[25][29]

Personal life

Ishchenko's father, Igor Ishchenko, was an amateur boxer in Tambov, Russia who finished with a record of 1-1-1.[30]

References

  1. ↑ "NBA 2026 Draft". www.espn.com. Retrieved June 25, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ↑ "Player Profile - Vsevolod Ishchenko". www.espn.com. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Player Biography - Vsevolod Ishchenko". www.espn.com. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Vsevolod Ishchenko profile". Lokomotiv Kuban. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Lokomotiv Kuban youth awards". Lokomotiv Kuban. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Lokomotiv Kuban roster news". VTB United League. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Vsevolod Ischenko named the Young Player of the Year". VTB United League. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Mavs add rookies Tobi Lawal, Vsevolod Ishchenko, and Sergio De Larrea to their roster". NBA.com. NBA.com. June 25, 2026. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Career first double-double for Ishchenko". VTB United League. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Vsevolod Ishchenko scored 15 points and 6 steals versus Astana". VTB United League. November 11, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Vsevolod Ischenko and Alexey Shved duel in Krasnodar". VTB United League. February 8, 2026. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Mavs' Vsevolod Ishchenko Returning Overseas Instead of NBA Signing". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  13. ↑ McGee, Austin (August 5, 2026). "Vsevolod Ishchenko update is bittersweet for Mavericks fans". The Smoking Cuban. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  14. ↑ Weber, Noah (August 9, 2026). "Mavericks' Vsevolod Ishchenko decision is better than it looks". The Smoking Cuban. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  15. ↑ "NBA Draft Profile – Vsevolod Ishchenko". NBA.com. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  16. 1 2 Sweet, Randall (April 25, 2026). "5 International Prospects Declare for 2026 NBA Draft". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Mavericks Acquire Draft Rights to 56th Overall Pick Vsevolod Ishchenko". nba.com. June 24, 2026. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  18. ↑ "2026 NBA Draft: Mavericks draft Russian guard Vsevolod Ishchenko". Yahoo Sports. June 24, 2026. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  19. ↑ Curtis, Mike (July 3, 2026). "Mavericks reveal Summer League roster featuring Morez Johnson, Ryan Nembhard Jr., Sergio de Larrea". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  20. ↑ "2026 Dallas 2026 NBA Summer League Stats". RealGM. July 17, 2026. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Grading Each Mavericks Draft Pick's NBA Summer League Performance". Sports Illustrated. July 19, 2026. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Russia vs Iran friendly game report". Russia Basketball Federation. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Russia vs Egypt friendly game report". Russia Basketball Federation. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  24. ↑ D. Smith, Marcus (June 24, 2026). "Who did Lakers pick Wednesday? LA makes another move after Bulls NBA Draft trade". USA Today. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  25. 1 2 Afseth, Grant (June 25, 2026). "Dallas Mavericks Land Draft Rights To Russian Guard Vsevolod Ishchenko In Deal With Los Angeles Lakers". Dallas Hoops Journal. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  26. ↑ Afseth, Grant (July 16, 2026). "Vsevolod Ishchenko's Defense Against Cameron Boozer Shows Strong Value". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  27. ↑ Weber, Noah (July 17, 2026). "Mavericks-Lakers draft night trade already looks like steal for Dallas". The Smoking Cuban. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  28. ↑ Veazey, Austin (July 25, 2026). "2 Factors Could Keep Mavericks From Signing Second-Round Pick". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  29. ↑ Wyrich, Andrew (June 24, 2026). "Instant 2026 NBA Draft Grade: Mavericks Trade With Lakers for International Shooter". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  30. ↑ Weber, Noah. "Exclusive: Vsevolod Ishchenko's Mavericks toughness comes from an unexpected source". The Smoking Cuban. Retrieved July 20, 2026.