{{short description|Ukrainian basketball player}} {{Family name hatnote|Yuriyovych|Medvedenko|lang=Eastern Slavic}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}} {{Infobox officeholder | office = | term_start = | term_end = | image = Slava Medvedenko.png | caption = Medvedenko being interviewed as a coach after a match in which the Ukrainian team U16 played in 2015 | name = Slava Medvedenko | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|4|4|df=y}} | birth_place = Karapyshi, [[Kiev Oblast]], [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukrainian SSR]], [[Soviet Union]] | party = [[Holos (political party)|Holos]] | module = {{Infobox basketball biography | embed = yes | image = | width = | caption = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 10 | weight_lb = 250 | nationality = | birth_date = | draft_year = 1998 | career_start = 1996 | career_end = 2007 | career_position = [[Power forward (basketball)|Power forward]] | career_number = 14 | years1 = 1996–1997 | team1 = [[BC Kyiv-Basket|Dandy Basket]] | years2 = 1997–1998 | team2 = [[BC Budivelnyk|Budivelnik Kyiv]] | years3 = 1998–1999 | team3 = [[BC Alita|Alita Alytus]] | years4 = 1999–2000 | team4 = [[BC Kyiv|Kyiv]] | years5 = {{nbay|2000|start}}–{{nbay|2005|end}} | team5 = [[Los Angeles Lakers]] | years6 = {{nbay|2006|full=y}} | team6 = [[Atlanta Hawks]] | highlights = * 2× [[List of NBA champions|NBA champion]] ([[2001 NBA Finals|2001]], [[2002 NBA Finals|2002]]) | stats_league = NBA | stat1label = [[Point (basketball)|Points]] | stat1value = 1,390 (5.3 ppg) | stat2label = [[Rebound (basketball)|Rebounds]] | stat2value = 744 (2.8 rpg) | stat3label = [[Assist (basketball)|Assists]] | stat3value = 136 (0.5 apg) | bbr = medvest01 }} }} '''Stanislav''' "'''Slava'''" '''Yuriyovych Medvedenko''' ({{langx|uk|Станіслав "Слава" Юрійович Медведенко}}; born 4 April 1979) is a Ukrainian former professional [[basketball]] player, who played with the [[Atlanta Hawks]] and the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in the [[National Basketball Association]]. His position was [[power forward (basketball)|power forward]]. After his basketball career ended, Medvedenko embarked on a political career in [[Ukraine]].
==Early life== Medvedenko is a native of [[Kyiv]], Ukraine.<ref name=hawks06>{{Cite web |date=28 December 2006 |title=Hawks add veteran Medvedenko to frontcourt crew|agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2710869 |access-date=7 December 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>
==Professional career== Medvedenko began his professional career in 1996 in Ukraine. He played for [[BC Kyiv-Basket|Dandy Basket]] in 1996–97 and [[BC Budivelnyk|Budivelnik Kyiv]] in 1997–98. After a season in Lithuania with [[BC Alita|Alita Alytus]] in 1998–99, he returned to Ukraine to play for [[BC Kyiv]] in 1999–2000.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stanislav Medvedenko, Basketball Player, News, Stats - USbasket |url=https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Stanislav-Medvedenko/13848 |website=Eurobasket LLC |access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref>
Medvedenko joined the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] for the [[2000–01 NBA season]] and was a member of the Lakers' championships in [[2001 NBA Finals|2001]] and [[2002 NBA Finals|2002]].<ref name="hawks06" />
[[File:Shaq at the white house.jpg|thumb|right|Medvedenko standing two rows behind coach [[Phil Jackson]] at a [[White House]] ceremony following the Lakers' [[2001 NBA Finals]] victory.]]
In the [[2003–04 NBA season|2003–04 season]], Medvedenko averaged career highs of 8.3 points and five rebounds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stanislav Medvedenko 2003-04 Game Log |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/medvest01/gamelog/2004 |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> His contributions slipped in the playoffs, averaging only four points and 2.5 rebounds, but the Lakers liked his toughness and shooting ability. He was relied on due to injuries to [[Karl Malone]] and [[Horace Grant]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bresnahan |first1=Mike |title=Lakers Take at Least One Step Forward |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-aug-03-sp-slava3-story.html |access-date=23 October 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=3 August 2004}}</ref>
In the 2004 off-season, Medvedenko signed a new two-year deal with the Lakers. With the team now coached by [[Rudy Tomjanovich]] following the departure of [[Phil Jackson]], Medvedenko averaged 3.8 points and played in only 43 games in the [[2004–05 NBA season|2004–05 season]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stanislav Medvedenko 2004-05 Game Log |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/medvest01/gamelog/2005 |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He was criticised by his teammates for shooting too often, recording only 13 assists for the season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bresnahan |first1=Mike |title=Lakers Will Need to Change |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jun-25-sp-lakers25-story.html |access-date=23 October 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=25 June 2005}}</ref>
In January 2006, Medvedenko underwent season-ending back surgery after sustaining a [[herniated disc]] in his lower back in early November 2005. He appeared in just two games in the [[2005–06 NBA season|2005–06 season]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 January 2006 |title=Medvedenko has back surgery, likely out for season |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2290426 |access-date=7 December 2023 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> He was waived by the Lakers on 6 March 2006, to clear roster space for the signing of [[Jim Jackson (basketball)|Jim Jackson]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Lakers Sign Jim Jackson; Waive Forward Slava Medvedenko |url=https://www.nba.com/lakers/news/jackson_signing_060306.html |access-date=23 October 2024 |work=www.nba.com |date=6 March 2006 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 March 2006 |title=Lakers sign versatile Jackson, waive Medvedenko |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2357221 |access-date=7 December 2023 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref>
On 28 December 2006, Medvedenko signed with the [[Atlanta Hawks]] for about $600,000, for the remainder of the [[2006–07 NBA season]].<ref name="hawks06" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bresnahan |first=Mike |date=30 December 2006 |title=Loss of Odom is taking its toll |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-dec-30-sp-lakerep30-story.html |access-date=7 December 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
==NBA career statistics== {{NBA player statistics legend|champion=y}}
===Regular season=== {{NBA player statistics start}} |- | style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"| {{nbay|2000}}† | style="text-align:left;"| [[2000–01 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]] | 7 || 0 || 5.6 || .480 || '''1.000''' || .583 || 1.3 || .3 || .1 || .1 || 4.6 |- | style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"| {{nbay|2001}}† | style="text-align:left;"| [[2001–02 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]] | '''71''' || 6 || 10.3 || .477 || .000 || .661 || 2.2 || .6 || .4 || .2 || 4.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2002}} | style="text-align:left;"| [[2002–03 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]] | 58 || 10 || 10.7 || .434 || .000 || .721 || 2.4 || .3 || .2 || .1 || 4.4 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2003}} | style="text-align:left;"| [[2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]] | 68 || '''38''' || '''21.2''' || .441 || .000 || .767 || '''5.0''' || '''.8''' || '''.6''' || '''.3''' || '''8.3''' |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2004}} | style="text-align:left;"| [[2004–05 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]] | 43 || 4 || 9.8 || .455 || .000 || .821 || 1.8 || .3 || .2 || .0 || 3.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2005}} | style="text-align:left;"| [[2005–06 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]] | 2 || 0 || 3.0 || '''.500''' || .000 || .000 || .0 || .5 || .0 || .0 || 1.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2006}} | style="text-align:left;"| [[2006–07 Atlanta Hawks season|Atlanta]] | 14 || 0 || 5.8 || .414 || .500 || '''.850''' || 1.0 || .1 || .0 || .1 || 3.0 |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2" | Career | 263 || 58 || 12.7 || .450 || .154 || .740 || 2.8 || .5 || .3 || .2 || 5.3 {{S-end}}
===Playoffs=== {{NBA player statistics start}} |- | style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"| [[2002 NBA Playoffs|2002]]† | style="text-align:left;"| [[2001–02 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]] | 7 || 0 || 3.0 || '''.600''' || .000 || .000 || .6 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .9 |- | style="text-align:left;"| [[2003 NBA Playoffs|2003]] | style="text-align:left;"| [[2002–03 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]] | 9 || 0 || 8.1 || .556 || .000 || .667 || 2.0 || .1 || .1 || .1 || 3.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"| [[2004 NBA Playoffs|2004]] | style="text-align:left;"| [[2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]] | '''21''' || '''1''' || '''11.3''' || .440 || .000 || '''.810''' || '''2.5''' || '''.5''' || '''.2''' || '''.2''' || '''4.0''' |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2" | Career | 37 || 1 || 8.9 || .477 || .000 || .778 || 2.0 || .3 || .1 || .1 || 3.3 {{S-end}}
==Political career== Medvedenko was a candidate (number 11 on the election list) for the [[Kyiv City Council]] of the party [[Voice (Ukrainian political party)|Voice]] in the [[2020 Kyiv local election]] set for 25 October 2020.<ref name="chesno/4226/">{{in lang|uk}} [https://www.chesno.org/post/4226/ List of "Voices" to the Kyiv City Council: candidate for mayor - Prytula, candidates for deputies - former "self-help" and "demalyans"], [[Civil movement "Chesno"]] (21 September 2020)</ref><ref>[https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/674837.html Rada appoints next elections to local self-govt bodies for Oct 25], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (15 July 2020)</ref> The party only managed to win nine seats.<ref>{{in lang|uk}} [https://www.cvk.gov.ua/pls/vm2020/pvm057pid112=30pid102=2pf7691=2pt001f01=695rej=0pt00_t001f01=695.html Results of the 2020 elections of the Kyiv City Council], [[Central Election Commission of Ukraine]]</ref>
== Military career == In 2022, Medvedenko auctioned off both his NBA championship rings and memorabilia in order to raise money for rehabilitation and recovery of Ukrainian kids, which suffered during the war.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Beth |date=24 July 2022 |title=Former Laker Medvedenko auctions NBA title rings for Ukraine |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/national/story/2022-07-24/former-laker-medvedenko-auctions-nba-title-rings-for-ukraine |access-date=7 December 2023 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yuccus |first=Jamie |date=2 August 2022 |title=Ex-Laker Slava Medvedenko puts NBA championship rings up for auction to help his native Ukraine |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/slava-medvedenko-ukraine-nba-championship-rings-auction/ |access-date=18 August 2022 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref> He and his wife both served in the military during [[Russo-Ukrainian War|Russian war against Ukraine]]. He was gifted two replacement championship rings in 2023 by [[Jeanie Buss]]. The ceremony was also attended by [[Pau Gasol]] and [[Sasha Vujačić|Sasha Vujacic]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 January 2023 |title=Slava Medvedenko gets replacement championship rings from the Lakers |url=https://basketnews.com/news-184253-slava-medvedenko-gets-replacement-championship-rings-from-the-lakers.html |access-date=20 August 2023 |website=Basketnews.com |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Basketballstats |nba= 2098 |bbr= m/medvest01 }} *[https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/543/slava-medvedenko Player profile on ESPN.com] *[http://www.brama.com/news/press/020625medvedenko_basketball.html Interview with Medvedenko] *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9VZ-JrMV5k&search=Slava%20Medvedenko Slava's First American TV Interview]
{{Los Angeles Lakers 2000-01 NBA champions}} {{Los Angeles Lakers 2001-02 NBA champions}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Medvedenko, Slava}} [[Category:1979 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:21st-century Ukrainian politicians]] [[Category:Atlanta Hawks players]] [[Category:BC Budivelnyk players]] [[Category:Holos (political party) politicians]] [[Category:Los Angeles Lakers players]] [[Category:NBA players from Ukraine]] [[Category:Power forwards]] [[Category:Ukrainian expatriate basketball people in the United States]] [[Category:Ukrainian men's basketball players]] [[Category:Undrafted NBA players]]