KYIV (FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers) – Big men Kyrylo Fesenko and Viacheslav Kravtsov are to be the centerpieces of Ukraine during their summer campaign to clinch a berth at FIBA EuroBasket 2017. Ukraine's third former NBA player, veteran power forward Oleksiy Pecherov who last pulled on the yellow-blue jersey in summer 2013, has also been included on the preliminary squad.

Fesenko led Ukraine in both scoring and rebounds at last September's FIBA EuroBasket 2015. Meanwhile Kravtsov had led FIBA EuroBasket 2013 in blocks to help Ukraine clinch a historical-best seventh-place finish and is poised to suit up for the national team for the first time since FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014.

Ukraine's first stage of preparations is now under way following some late modifications to the team's composition. Sharp-shooting guard Sergii Gladyr, forward/center Ihor Zaytsev and Dmytro Gliebov were initially included on the list but later pulled out of training camp so Andriy Lebedintsev, Oleksandr Riabchuck and Stanislav Tymofeyenko were added.

"Unfortunately Gladyr, Zaytsev and Gliebov will not be able to help us because of injuries of varying severity," explained Ukraine head coach Yevgen Murzin.

"Until recently we thought that Gliebov would make it, but he needs further rehabilitation for the injury he sustained at the end of the season. Maksym Pustozvonov and Oleksandr Lypovyy are also struggling with health problems, but for now we are still hoping they will be in a condition to help the team."

Coach Murzin also stated that big star Oleksii (Alex) Len, Joel Bolomboy and Jerome Randle, who led Ukraine in assists at FIBA EuroBasket 2015, will not take part in this summer's qualifying campaign. Meanwhile the possibility remains that Oleksandr Kobets and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, who are currently leading the Ukrainian team at the FIBA U20 European Championship, might receive a call-up after the conclusion of that tournament.

"I have a lot of experience now and for me the most important thing is to have as many fans as possible in the stands," Fesenko said. "The more full the the gym is the closer I play to 100%, while in an empty gym I feel like I cannot perform at all. Therefore it is necessary that we feel the support of the whole country."

Ukraine will travel to Germany on 30 July to play in their first warm-up game, against Germany. Ukraine's FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers Group E campaign, which will see them go up against Bulgaria, Kosovo and Slovenia, tips-off on 31 August.

FIBA