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The Arizona Wildcats further bulked up their perimeter for next season with the reported addition of highly regarded German-Russian wingΒ Ivan Kharchenkov.

Eurohopes reported Monday that the 6-7, 230-pound wing had committed to the Wildcats. He was coming off an all-tournament performance last weekend in Italy, where Draft Express’ Jon Chepkevich said he projects as a first-round NBA Draft pick in 2026.

As a freshman next season, Kharchenkov is expected to play a key role on the wing for the Wildcats, whose perimeter lost Caleb Love, Carter Bryant and KJ Lewis from last season.

But before he comes to Tucson, Kharchenkov could wind up facing Arizona coach Tommy LloydΒ in the FIBA U19 World CupΒ at Switzerland, since Lloyd will be the head coach for Team USA and Kharchenkov is one of Germany’s top youth players.

Although he’s just 18, Kharchenkov has years of high-level European experience, having become the youngest player to score in Germany’s BBL while playing for Bayern Munich during the 2022-23 season when he was just 16 years old.

Bayern Munich announced last October thatΒ Kharchenkov signed a three-year contractΒ to play for it through 2027, though Kharchenkov has been aΒ recruiting targetΒ of several high-level college programs for next season.

This season, Kharchenov hasΒ played 33 games for BayernΒ in the BBL, averaging 5.7 points while shooting 63.9%. He also played 23 games for Bayern Munich in the high-level Euroleague, averaging 2.9 points while shooting 59.6.%.

HisΒ emergenceΒ into a regular reserve role for Bayern Munich's senior team while turning just 18 last fall was a surprise, according toΒ Sports Illustrated's Andrew Bernucca.

Ivan Kharchenkov averaged 17.5 points and 5.3 rebounds for Germany in the 2024 FIBA U18 Eurobasket event.

β€œKharchenkov hasn’t stepped into a massive role or even one with significant impact, but he’s up to nearly eight minutes per game in EuroLeague action and that’s eight more than anyone expected heading into the season,” Bernucca wrote. β€œPart of the reason he’s been serviceable for coach (Gordon) Herbert is his size. Kharchenkov is 6-foot-6 and has nearly 230 pounds of muscle. He is shredded and is not a youngster that more experienced veterans can punish physically.

While Bernucca noted that Kharchenkov’s stats were modest, he said Kharchenkov has shown confidence shooting 3s and found success cutting to the basket against domestic competition.

β€œWhen driving lanes are left open he attacks them at full force, and given his size, there aren’t many opposing defenders who want to get in front of him once he gets momentum,” Bernucca wrote.

The son of Alexander Kharchenkov, a longtime European pro who helped the Soviet Union win the 1974 World Cup, Ivan KharchenkovΒ developed in Bayern Munich’s youth programΒ while also standing outΒ for German youth teams.

Kharchenkov helped Germany win the 2024 FIBA U18 EuroBasket title last summer while averaging 17.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists. During Germany’s 93-83 win over Serbia in the gold-medal game, Kharchenkov posted 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

Kharchenkov also played for Germany in the 2023 U18 European Championships and in the 2022 European U16 European Division B Championships.

Kharchenkov and the bulk ofΒ Germany's U18 gold-medalistsΒ from last summer's U18 EuroBasket eventΒ are expected to compete in the U19 World CupΒ from June 28 to July 6 in Lausanne, Switzerland. Germany and USA are not in the same U19 groups but could meet in bracketed games.

Arizona's spring roster transition to date:

Returning

Tobe Awaka, C, 6-8, senior

Jaden Bradley, G, 6-3, senior

Anthony Dell’Orso, G/F, 6-6, senior

Motiejus Krivas, C, 7-2, junior

Addison Arnold, G, 6-3, sophomore#

Jackson Francois, G, 6-5, senior #

Jackson Cook, G, 6-3 sophomore#

Newcomers

Evan Nelson, G, 6-2, senior (Harvard transfer)

Sidi Gueye, 6-11, freshman

Bryce James, 6-4, freshman

Ivan Kharchenkov, F, 6-8, freshman

Mabil Mawut, 6-11 freshman

Koa Peat, F, 6-8, freshman

Dwayne Aristode, F, 6-8, freshman

Brayden Burries, F, 6-4, freshman

Departed

Carter Bryant, 6-8, sophomore NBA

KJ Lewis, G, 6-4, junior (Georgetown)

Caleb Love, G, 6-4, out of eligibility

Conrad Martinez, G, 6-0 (in transfer portal)

Emmanuel Stephen, C, 7-0, sophomore (UNLV)

Trey Townsend, F, 6-6, out of eligibility

Henri Veesaar, F/C, 7-0, junior (North Carolina)

Grant Weitman, G, 6-4, out of eligibility

Luke Champion, F, 6-8, out of eligibility

# Walk-on player in 2024-25.

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Contact sports reporter Bruce Pascoe at bpascoe@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @brucepascoe