Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk Bio
Sviatoslav Yuriyovych Mykhailiuk is a Ukrainian professional basketball player who currently suits up for the Utah Jazz in the National Basketball Association. Born on June 10, 1997, in Cherkasy, Ukraine, he has built a professional career spanning multiple continents, from his early days in the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague to becoming a rotation player in the NBA. Mykhailiuk most notably captured an NBA championship ring as a reserve member of the 2023-24 Boston Celtics, cementing his place in basketball history. He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks from 2014 to 2018 before entering the NBA draft, where the Los Angeles Lakers selected him in the second round with the 47th overall pick. Known for his perimeter shooting and basketball intelligence, Mykhailiuk has established himself as a reliable floor spacer throughout his journeyman NBA career.
Early Life and Background
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk grew up in Cherkasy, Ukraine, as the son of Inna, a high school biology teacher, and Iurri, a college history professor. His upbringing in an academic household provided a stable foundation as he pursued basketball from a young age. He attended Cherkasy First City Gymnasia for his secondary education, where his exceptional basketball talents began to attract attention from scouts across Europe and the United States.
Mykhailiuk represented Ukraine on the international junior circuit before turning professional. During the summer of 2013, he played for the Ukrainian Under-16 national team at the FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, where he earned All-Tournament Team honors after averaging 25.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. He later competed for the Ukrainian Under-20 team in both the 2016 and 2017 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championships, leading the 2017 tournament in scoring with 20.4 points per game.
Path to Professional Basketball
Mykhailiuk garnered significant interest from American college programs before committing to the University of Kansas. He received scholarship offers from Virginia, Iowa State, Oregon, and Kansas before announcing his commitment to the Jayhawks on May 21, 2014. His decision to play for Kansas marked a pivotal step in his basketball journey, positioning him on a path toward the NBA.
During his freshman season at Kansas, Mykhailiuk started five of his first seven games and averaged 21.3 minutes per contest. He made an immediate impact, scoring 11 points in 32 minutes during the Orlando Classic Championship game against Michigan State on November 30, 2014. At just 17 years old, he became the youngest player in Big 12 Conference history, signaling his potential as a future professional prospect.
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk Career
College Career (2014–2018)
Mykhailiuk returned to Kansas for his sophomore year in the 2015-16 season, appearing in 35 games while averaging 5.4 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game. He demonstrated his three-point shooting ability by converting 40.2 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. On November 23, 2015, he scored 18 points against Chaminade, and on March 17, 2016, he set his personal college scoring record with 23 points in the first round of the NCAA tournament against Austin Peay, making 9 of 11 field goals and 4 of 5 three-pointers.
Mykhailiuk improved significantly during his junior year in the 2016-17 season, averaging 10.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 41.5 percent from three-point territory. On December 22, 2016, he recorded 20 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in a 71-53 victory over UNLV, making 4 of 6 three-point attempts. On April 12, 2017, he entered the 2017 NBA draft without hiring an agent, preserving his eligibility to return for his senior year.
Mykhailiuk chose to return for his senior season and delivered his best collegiate performance. On November 17, 2017, he scored a career-high 27 points against San Diego State. Throughout the 2017-18 season, he set a Kansas single-season record with 115 three-pointers made, earning Second-team All-Big 12 recognition and solidifying his standing as an NBA draft prospect.
Los Angeles Lakers (2018–2019)
On June 21, 2018, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Mykhailiuk with the 47th overall pick in the NBA draft. He signed his rookie contract, a three-year, $4.6 million deal, on July 10, 2018. His time with the Lakers provided valuable NBA experience as he adjusted to the professional level. On February 6, 2019, Los Angeles traded him to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Reggie Bullock, marking the beginning of his journeyman NBA career.
Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder (2019–2021)
Mykhailiuk joined the Detroit Pistons following the mid-season trade and continued developing his game within their system. He appeared in 20 games for Detroit during the 2019-20 season. On March 13, 2021, the Pistons traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Hamidou Diallo. His time with the Thunder provided additional NBA minutes as he worked to establish himself as a reliable rotation player.
Toronto Raptors (2021–2022)
On August 31, 2021, Mykhailiuk signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Raptors worth approximately $3.6 million. He appeared in 54 games during the 2021-22 season, providing perimeter shooting and depth for the Raptors rotation. Toronto waived him on August 29, 2022, following the completion of his contract.
New York Knicks (2022–2023)
Mykhailiuk signed with the New York Knicks on September 18, 2022, joining a team building around young talent. He appeared in 31 games for the Knicks before New York included him in a trade package. On February 8, 2023, New York reached an agreement to send him to the Portland Trail Blazers, which was reworked the following day into a four-team trade involving the Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers, with Mykhailiuk landing with the Hornets.
Charlotte Hornets (2023)
Mykhailiuk joined the Charlotte Hornets following the February 2023 trade. He made his Hornets debut on February 15, 2023, recording 12 points and 2 rebounds in a 120-110 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. His brief stint with Charlotte provided an opportunity to showcase his scoring ability before the end of the regular season.
Boston Celtics Championship Season (2023–2024)
On August 31, 2023, Mykhailiuk signed a one-year contract with the Boston Celtics, joining one of the NBA championship favorites. This move proved transformative for his career. On June 6, 2024, he made his NBA Finals debut against the Dallas Mavericks, becoming just the second Ukrainian player to reach the NBA Finals, following Slava Medvedenko who accomplished the feat with the Lakers in the early 2000s. The Celtics went on to win the championship, capturing their 18th title in franchise history and awarding Mykhailiuk his first NBA championship ring.
Utah Jazz Era (2024–Present)
Following his championship season with Boston, Mykhailiuk signed a four-year contract with the Utah Jazz on August 13, 2024. This signing marked a new chapter as he joined a young Jazz roster focused on development and building toward the future. The Jazz have relied on his veteran experience and shooting ability as cornerstones of their perimeter rotation.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mykhailiuk has carved out a reliable NBA role through his perimeter shooting and offensive instincts. His three-point shooting efficiency has been the defining characteristic of his professional career, beginning with his standout shooting percentages at Kansas and translating into consistent production at the NBA level. His basketball intelligence allows him to find open spaces on the floor and contribute without requiring plays run specifically for him. His ability to stretch the floor and knock down shots from distance has made him a valuable rotation piece throughout his career across multiple franchises.
Notable Events and Milestones
Mykhailiuk represented the Ukraine senior national team at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, demonstrating his scoring ability on the international stage before beginning his professional career. His international experience includes multiple European youth championships, highlighted by leading the 2017 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship in scoring. Becoming the second Ukrainian to appear in an NBA Finals after Slava Medvedenko represents a significant milestone in his career and for Ukrainian basketball. His professional journey has taken him through eight teams in nine NBA seasons, with his championship victory with the 2023-24 Boston Celtics serving as the crowning achievement of his career thus far.
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk Career Highlights
Mykhailiuk has accumulated notable achievements across his professional and international career, highlighted by his NBA championship and collegiate honors.
NBA and Collegiate Highlights
His professional career reached its pinnacle with the 2024 NBA championship as a member of the Boston Celtics, earning him a championship ring in his ninth NBA season. His collegiate career at Kansas produced the Second-team All-Big 12 recognition during the 2017-18 season, along with the single-season school record of 115 three-pointers made. He earned All-Tournament Team honors at the 2013 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship after leading the event in scoring.
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk Family
Family Background
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk grew up in Cherkasy, Ukraine, in a family that valued education. His mother Inna worked as a high school biology teacher, while his father Iurri served as a college history professor. This academic family background provided support for his basketball ambitions from an early age.
Personal Life
Mykhailiuk has maintained a strong connection to his Ukrainian heritage throughout his professional career. Following Russias invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, he joined fellow Ukrainian NBA player Alex Len in releasing a public statement condemning the invasion. The statement expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people and called for an end to the conflict, demonstrating his commitment to his homeland during a difficult period in Ukrainian history.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant chapter in Mykhailiuk’s career as he continued establishing himself within the Utah Jazz rotation. On November 6, 2025, he scored a career-high 28 points in a game against the Detroit Pistons, demonstrating his continued growth as a scoring threat in the NBA. This performance highlighted his ability to contribute significantly when provided increased minutes and opportunities within his team’s system.
The Jazz have relied on Mykhailiuk’s veteran experience and shooting ability as building blocks for their young roster. His championship pedigree from Boston has added valuable professionalism to the locker room, while his floor spacing helps create driving lanes for Utah’s developing players. The combination of his offensive skill set and professional approach to the game has made him an important component of the Jazz’s long-term plans.
Looking ahead, Mykhailiuk appears well-positioned to continue contributing as a reliable NBA rotation player. His ability to space the floor, combined with his international experience and championship success, provides the Jazz with a versatile wing player who can impact games in multiple ways. The 2025 season has reinforced his value as a consistent contributor capable of scoring in double figures when called upon, solidifying his place in the league as he progresses through his professional career.