• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Ex-LA Lakers Player Slava Medvedenko Now Fighting Russian Troops On The Frontline In Ukraine

Home> NBA

Published 06:34 24 May 2022 GMT+1

Ex-LA Lakers Player Slava Medvedenko Now Fighting Russian Troops On The Frontline In Ukraine

He also plans on selling both of his NBA championship rings in order to aid Ukraine.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

Slava Medvedenko has joined the growing list of high-profile Ukrainian athletes to return back home and fight Russian forces on the frontline.

A former NBA star, Medvedenko has been retired since 2007 following his stint with the Atlanta Hawks.

Prior to that, he enjoyed a seven-season spell with the Los Angeles Lakers where he won two championships alongside the late great Kobe Bryant.

Advert

Now the six-foot-10-inch guard has found himself armed with an AK-47 to defend his country against the Russian invasion.

Slava Medvedenko (L) with Kob Bryant.
Alamy

Medvedenko recently spoke to The Athletic, providing them with an incredibly-detailed description of what it's like on the ground in the capital of Kyiv.

“War is time to open something different in yourself,” he says.

Advert

“Can you imagine? You’re just sitting at a checkpoint and you see a big f**king rocket just fly over you?

“We have almost first row in the cinema. That was the first time I think Russians understand they cannot break our air defense system.”

Medvedenko is just the latest current or former professional sports star hailing from Ukraine to take up arms for their nation.

Advert

The former Lakers players joins the likes of the Klitschko brothers, Vasyl Lomachenko, Oleksandr Usyk, Sergiy Stakhovsky and a bunch of others in returning home to tackle Russia's full-scale invasion head on.

But it's not just taking up arms where Medvedenko hopes to to help as he also plans on selling his championship rings to further aid Ukraine.

Alamy

“Medvedenko is doing everything he can to support the Ukrainian army, which for a former NBA star has included auctioning off virtually all memorabilia from his playing days,” The Athletic's Bill Oram writes.

Advert

“He said he has already sold T-shirts, jerseys and sneakers. Next up: His championship rings, a process for which he has sought assistance from the Lakers.

“The organization has offered to help however it can, including preparing a shipment of sports gear to send to Ukraine. In an email, Lakers executive Linda Rambis told Medvedenko that if he sold his rings, the team would replace them.”

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Australia, NBA, Ukraine, Russia, Basketball

Max Sherry
Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

X

@maxysherry

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

3 hours ago
5 hours ago
9 hours ago
a day ago
  • Harry How / Staff via GettyHarry How / Staff via Getty
    3 hours ago

    Illegal Stream LeBron James was Caught Using Shut Down in Sting

    LA Lakers star LeBron James was caught using Streameast, which has now been shut down

    NBA
  • China News Service / Contributor via GettyChina News Service / Contributor via Getty
    5 hours ago

    LA Clippers Respond as Kawhi Leonard $28m Salary Cap Violation Allegation Made

    Two-time NBA Champion Kawhi Leonard is under scrutiny for his salary at the Clippers

    NBA
  • Gregory Shamus / Staff via GettyGregory Shamus / Staff via Getty
    9 hours ago

    NBA Star Calls Out Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark and WNBA Ability Amid Pay Demand Calls

    An NBA star called out the WNBA's biggest stars amid ongoing debates over the pay gap

    NBA
  • Harry How / Staff via GettyHarry How / Staff via Getty
    a day ago

    LA Lakers Champion Refused 'Dream' LeBron James Reunion over 'Slap in the Face' Offer

    A former NBA champion could have reunited with a basketball GOAT at the LA Lakers

    NBA
  • LA Lakers Champion Refused 'Dream' LeBron James Reunion over 'Slap in the Face' Offer
  • Kevin Durant's former $1.1m house put on the market for just $35 as offers flood in
  • Michael Jordan was in no doubt over the one NBA player he wishes he'd played with
  • LeBron James has made his feelings clear on the LA Lakers signing Luka Doncic in the wildest trade in NBA history