Svi Mykhailiuk is drawing attention in training camp and praise from his Los Angeles Lakers teammates.
For those who followed Svi Mykhailiuk right after he landed with the Los Angeles Lakers on draft night, it does not come as a surprise as he is already proven his talent in more than an occasion.
Training camp just kicked in and while many players are going to get their first pro action in months thanks to preseason games, some players have already stepped on the court to play in an official basketball tournament, as is the case for Lakers forward Svi Mykhailiuk.
After a very productive Summer League where he earned All-Second Team honors averaging 16.6 points on an outstanding 40.8 three-point percentage, attempting seven threes per game, Svi started to raise some brow in the league’s young talent landscape.
Between Summer League and the start of training camp, he took part in the second round of European World Cup qualifiers as part of the Ukrainian National Team.
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He was putting up very solid numbers. Svi led his team to a surprising victory against Spain with a game-high 22 points, shooting 5-9 from three and collecting five steals and one block.
In the subsequent loss against Montenegro, he again led the team in scoring with 15 points but shooting a less impressive 5-of-15 from the field. However, he still owned the best Plus/Minus in the game at +12.
Despite his young age, Svi was the clear-cut leader of his national team with the offense running through him and often getting used as the main initiator. It comes as a good sign for the Lakers that a 21-year-old has been up to such burdens.
He proved his abilities as the protagonist on a big stage, thus determining to be ready for a minor role in NBA. His defense will make of him a big asset for Walton, combined with his already well-documented knack for shooting. A 3-and-D guy who can immediately contribute at a high level and be another valuable weapon for the purple and gold.
The Lakers might have gotten another steal in this past draft, much like Kyle Kuzma last year.
With such a team filled with veterans and young, promising stars a rookie would not be supposed to get playing time, yet Mykhailiuk has proven to have the qualities which should grant him a spot in the rotation.