Arizona's Kharchenkov Details His Mature Playstyle

He’s averaging 10.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game on 49 percent shooting from the floor. Kharchenkov has also been one of the top perimeter defenders on the floor for the Wildcats. 

Arizona’s Star Rookies

He is one of three star freshmen — alongside Brayden Burries and Koa Peat — that have turned the Wildcats into a juggernaut. The trio of rookies has done a superb job next to veterans such as Jaden Bradley and Anthony Dell’Orso in turning Arizona into one of the most dangerous teams in the country heading into the NCAA Tournament.

Kharchenkov has played a major role in Arizona’s 31-2 record this season, helping them sweep the Big 12 regular season and conference tournament titles. They will enter the NCAA Tournament as a 1 seed and are well in position to notch their second national title in program history this season. 

Ahead of their first tournament game against Long Island, Kharchenkov spoke about his veteran playstyle despite being only a freshman.

Kharchenkov’s Thoughts 

• “Even when I was playing at Bayern [Munich] at a young age playing with the professionals, somebody would ask me ‘how old are you?,’ ‘I’m 16 or 17,’ and they’re like ‘oh really? I thought you were like 22 or 23.’ They’re just saying how mature I am at a young age, and I felt like I had to do that just so I can play at the level I’m playing at right now,” Kharchenkov said. 

Kharchenkov also explained that the experience he has gained throughout his playing career has helped him throughout his freshman season at Arizona, especially in terms of staying level-headed in the face of adversity. 

• “I think the experience — that I’ve played with people who have been there — I watch them, what they do differently, or what they do the same, or just what they do, and how they act. Now, it’s my turn to do these things. I feel like that helped me a lot, especially when it goes south, not to panic or anything.”