# Slava Medvedenko

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Ukrainian basketball player

In this name that follows [East Slavic naming customs](/source/East_Slavic_naming_customs), the [patronymic](/source/Patronymic) is *Yuriyovych* and the [family name](/source/Surname) is *Medvedenko*.

Slava Medvedenko Medvedenko being interviewed as a coach after a match in which the Ukrainian team U16 played in 2015 Personal details Born (1979-04-04) 4 April 1979 (age 47) Karapyshi, Kiev Oblast, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union Party Holos Basketball career Personal information Listed height 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) Listed weight 250 lb (113 kg) Career information NBA draft 1998: undrafted Playing career 1996–2007 Position Power forward Number 14 Career history 1996–1997 Dandy Basket 1997–1998 Budivelnik Kyiv 1998–1999 Alita Alytus 1999–2000 Kyiv 2000–2006 Los Angeles Lakers 2006–2007 Atlanta Hawks Career highlights 2× NBA champion (2001, 2002) Career NBA statistics Points 1,390 (5.3 ppg) Rebounds 744 (2.8 rpg) Assists 136 (0.5 apg) Stats at NBA.com Stats at Basketball Reference

**Stanislav** "**Slava**" **Yuriyovych Medvedenko** ([Ukrainian](/source/Ukrainian_language): Станіслав "Слава" Юрійович Медведенко; born 4 April 1979) is a Ukrainian former professional [basketball](/source/Basketball) player, who played with the [Atlanta Hawks](/source/Atlanta_Hawks) and the [Los Angeles Lakers](/source/Los_Angeles_Lakers) in the [National Basketball Association](/source/National_Basketball_Association). His position was [power forward](/source/Power_forward_(basketball)). After his basketball career ended, Medvedenko embarked on a political career in [Ukraine](/source/Ukraine).

## Early life

Medvedenko is a native of [Kyiv](/source/Kyiv), Ukraine.[1]

## Professional career

Medvedenko began his professional career in 1996 in Ukraine. He played for [Dandy Basket](/source/BC_Kyiv-Basket) in 1996–97 and [Budivelnik Kyiv](/source/BC_Budivelnyk) in 1997–98. After a season in Lithuania with [Alita Alytus](/source/BC_Alita) in 1998–99, he returned to Ukraine to play for [BC Kyiv](/source/BC_Kyiv) in 1999–2000.[2]

Medvedenko joined the [Los Angeles Lakers](/source/Los_Angeles_Lakers) for the [2000–01 NBA season](/source/2000%E2%80%9301_NBA_season) and was a member of the Lakers' championships in [2001](/source/2001_NBA_Finals) and [2002](/source/2002_NBA_Finals).[1]

Medvedenko standing two rows behind coach [Phil Jackson](/source/Phil_Jackson) at a [White House](/source/White_House) ceremony following the Lakers' [2001 NBA Finals](/source/2001_NBA_Finals) victory.

In the [2003–04 season](/source/2003%E2%80%9304_NBA_season), Medvedenko averaged career highs of 8.3 points and five rebounds.[3] 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](/source/Karl_Malone) and [Horace Grant](/source/Horace_Grant).[4]

In the 2004 off-season, Medvedenko signed a new two-year deal with the Lakers. With the team now coached by [Rudy Tomjanovich](/source/Rudy_Tomjanovich) following the departure of [Phil Jackson](/source/Phil_Jackson), Medvedenko averaged 3.8 points and played in only 43 games in the [2004–05 season](/source/2004%E2%80%9305_NBA_season).[5] He was criticised by his teammates for shooting too often, recording only 13 assists for the season.[6]

In January 2006, Medvedenko underwent season-ending back surgery after sustaining a [herniated disc](/source/Herniated_disc) in his lower back in early November 2005. He appeared in just two games in the [2005–06 season](/source/2005%E2%80%9306_NBA_season).[7] He was waived by the Lakers on 6 March 2006, to clear roster space for the signing of [Jim Jackson](/source/Jim_Jackson_(basketball)).[8][9]

On 28 December 2006, Medvedenko signed with the [Atlanta Hawks](/source/Atlanta_Hawks) for about $600,000, for the remainder of the [2006–07 NBA season](/source/2006%E2%80%9307_NBA_season).[1][10]

## NBA career statistics

Legend GP Games played GS Games started MPG Minutes per game FG% Field goal percentage 3P% 3-point field goal percentage FT% Free throw percentage RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high † Won an NBA championship

### Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG 2000–01† L.A. Lakers 7 0 5.6 .480 1.000 .583 1.3 .3 .1 .1 4.6 2001–02† L.A. Lakers 71 6 10.3 .477 .000 .661 2.2 .6 .4 .2 4.7 2002–03 L.A. Lakers 58 10 10.7 .434 .000 .721 2.4 .3 .2 .1 4.4 2003–04 L.A. Lakers 68 38 21.2 .441 .000 .767 5.0 .8 .6 .3 8.3 2004–05 L.A. Lakers 43 4 9.8 .455 .000 .821 1.8 .3 .2 .0 3.8 2005–06 L.A. Lakers 2 0 3.0 .500 .000 .000 .0 .5 .0 .0 1.0 2006–07 Atlanta 14 0 5.8 .414 .500 .850 1.0 .1 .0 .1 3.0 Career 263 58 12.7 .450 .154 .740 2.8 .5 .3 .2 5.3

### Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG 2002† L.A. Lakers 7 0 3.0 .600 .000 .000 .6 .0 .0 .0 .9 2003 L.A. Lakers 9 0 8.1 .556 .000 .667 2.0 .1 .1 .1 3.8 2004 L.A. Lakers 21 1 11.3 .440 .000 .810 2.5 .5 .2 .2 4.0 Career 37 1 8.9 .477 .000 .778 2.0 .3 .1 .1 3.3

## Political career

Medvedenko was a candidate (number 11 on the election list) for the [Kyiv City Council](/source/Kyiv_City_Council) of the party [Voice](/source/Voice_(Ukrainian_political_party)) in the [2020 Kyiv local election](/source/2020_Kyiv_local_election) set for 25 October 2020.[11][12] The party only managed to win nine seats.[13]

## 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.[14][15] He and his wife both served in the military during [Russian war against Ukraine](/source/Russo-Ukrainian_War). He was gifted two replacement championship rings in 2023 by [Jeanie Buss](/source/Jeanie_Buss). The ceremony was also attended by [Pau Gasol](/source/Pau_Gasol) and [Sasha Vujacic](/source/Sasha_Vuja%C4%8Di%C4%87).[16]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-hawks06_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-hawks06_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-hawks06_1-2) ["Hawks add veteran Medvedenko to frontcourt crew"](https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2710869). *ESPN.com*. Associated Press. 28 December 2006. Retrieved 7 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Stanislav Medvedenko, Basketball Player, News, Stats - USbasket"](https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Stanislav-Medvedenko/13848). *Eurobasket LLC*. Retrieved 23 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Stanislav Medvedenko 2003-04 Game Log"](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/medvest01/gamelog/2004). *Basketball-Reference.com*. Retrieved 24 December 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Bresnahan, Mike (3 August 2004). ["Lakers Take at Least One Step Forward"](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-aug-03-sp-slava3-story.html). *Los Angeles Times*. Retrieved 23 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Stanislav Medvedenko 2004-05 Game Log"](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/medvest01/gamelog/2005). *Basketball-Reference.com*. Retrieved 20 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Bresnahan, Mike (25 June 2005). ["Lakers Will Need to Change"](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jun-25-sp-lakers25-story.html). *Los Angeles Times*. Retrieved 23 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Medvedenko has back surgery, likely out for season"](https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2290426). *ESPN.com*. Associated Press. 13 January 2006. Retrieved 7 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Lakers Sign Jim Jackson; Waive Forward Slava Medvedenko"](https://www.nba.com/lakers/news/jackson_signing_060306.html). *www.nba.com*. 6 March 2006. Retrieved 23 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Lakers sign versatile Jackson, waive Medvedenko"](https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2357221). *ESPN.com*. Associated Press. 7 March 2006. Retrieved 7 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Bresnahan, Mike (30 December 2006). ["Loss of Odom is taking its toll"](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-dec-30-sp-lakerep30-story.html). *Los Angeles Times*. Retrieved 7 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-chesno/4226/_11-0)** (in Ukrainian) [List of "Voices" to the Kyiv City Council: candidate for mayor - Prytula, candidates for deputies - former "self-help" and "demalyans"](https://www.chesno.org/post/4226/), [Civil movement "Chesno"](/source/Civil_movement_%22Chesno%22) (21 September 2020)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Rada appoints next elections to local self-govt bodies for Oct 25](https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/674837.html), [Interfax-Ukraine](/source/Interfax-Ukraine) (15 July 2020)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** (in Ukrainian) [Results of the 2020 elections of the Kyiv City Council](https://www.cvk.gov.ua/pls/vm2020/pvm057pid112=30pid102=2pf7691=2pt001f01=695rej=0pt00_t001f01=695.html), [Central Election Commission of Ukraine](/source/Central_Election_Commission_of_Ukraine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Harris, Beth (24 July 2022). ["Former Laker Medvedenko auctions NBA title rings for Ukraine"](https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/national/story/2022-07-24/former-laker-medvedenko-auctions-nba-title-rings-for-ukraine). *San Diego Union-Tribune*. Associated Press. Retrieved 7 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Yuccus, Jamie (2 August 2022). ["Ex-Laker Slava Medvedenko puts NBA championship rings up for auction to help his native Ukraine"](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/slava-medvedenko-ukraine-nba-championship-rings-auction/). *CBS News*. Retrieved 18 August 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Slava Medvedenko gets replacement championship rings from the Lakers"](https://basketnews.com/news-184253-slava-medvedenko-gets-replacement-championship-rings-from-the-lakers.html). *Basketnews.com*. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.

## External links

- Career statistics from [NBA.com](https://stats.nba.com/player/2098/) · [Basketball Reference](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/medvest01.html)

- [Player profile on ESPN.com](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/543/slava-medvedenko)

- [Interview with Medvedenko](http://www.brama.com/news/press/020625medvedenko_basketball.html)

- [Slava's First American TV Interview](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9VZ-JrMV5k&search=Slava%20Medvedenko)

v t e Los Angeles Lakers 2000–01 NBA champions 2 Fisher 3 George 4 Harper 5 Horry 7 Rider 8 Bryant 10 Lue 12 Penberthy 14 Medvedenko 17 Fox 20 Shaw 34 O'Neal (Finals MVP) 35 Madsen 40 Foster 54 Grant Head coach Jackson Assistant coaches Bertka Cleamons Hamblen Winter Regular season Playoffs

v t e Los Angeles Lakers 2001–02 NBA champions 2 Fisher 3 George 5 Horry 6 McCoy 8 Bryant 10 Hunter 14 Medvedenko 17 Fox 20 Shaw 23 Richmond 34 O'Neal (Finals MVP) 35 Madsen 52 Walker Head coach Jackson Assistant coaches Hamblen Cleamons Rambis Winter Regular season Playoffs

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Slava Medvedenko](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slava_Medvedenko) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slava_Medvedenko?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.