The Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers announced Thursday that they have signed Ukrainian former NBA player Viacheslav Kravtsov to boost their strength around the paint.
The franchise's announcement confirmed speculations that were sparked Wednesday when Taiwan's representative to Hungary Liu Shih-chung (???) posted on social media two photos where Liu, dwarfed by the Ukrainian giant, stated that "This Ukrainian 7-footer is going to join Taiwan's Professional Basketball League soon. I wish him luck."
The eastern European big man, 35, started his professional career in Ukraine in 2005 and played in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons and the Phoenix Suns from 2012-14, averaging 2.2 points and 1.4 rebounds on a 67.2 shooting percentage in 45 games, according to Basketball Reference.
Since leaving the NBA, Kravtsov has played in China, Spain, Turkey and Japan, before returning to Ukraine and playing for Dnipro in September 2020.
"I'm glad to have Kravtsov on our team. He's a very experienced and professional player," said Dean Murray, head coach of the southern port-based franchise.
Kravtsov is the fifth imported player on the Steelers roster, as the team struggles at the bottom of the six-team P. LEAGUE+ with a record of one win and seven losses this season. The team finished fifth last season with a 9-20 record, two wins ahead of the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots.
The signing of Kravtsov undoubtedly signals an attempt by the Steelers to find a way out of their current difficulties and suggests the team will part ways with at least one of its imported players in the not too distant future.
Aside from Kravtsov, the team already has four imported players: Manny Harris, Terrence Jones, Femi Olujobi, and Aaron Harrison, but a team can only play three in a game, according to the league's rules which were revised this summer.
Meanwhile, Kravtsov will be the second Ukrainian player active in Taiwan. The other is Ihor Zaytsev of the Taipei Fubon Braves.
Kravtsov has also played for the Ukrainian national basketball team, several support members of which were invited to Taiwan by the P. LEAGUE+ earlier in the year after Russia invaded their country when the team was competing in the FIBA World Cup European qualifiers in Spain. During their short stay in the southern port city, several of the Ukrainian support staff had interactions with the Steelers.
However, the franchise did not elaborate on whether that short-term interaction was in any way instrumental in the signing of Kravtsov.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel