Maksym Shulga Bio
Maksym Shulga (Ukrainian: Максим Шульга; born June 25, 2002) is a Ukrainian professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays primarily as a shooting guard and also handles point guard duties. Shulga was selected with the 57th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, with his draft rights subsequently traded to the Boston Celtics. He signed a two-way contract with the Celtics in August 2025 and began his professional career with the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League before earning a standard two-year contract in March 2026.
Early Life and Background
Maksym Shulga was born and grew up in Kyiv, Ukraine. At age 11, he moved to Spain to pursue both his academic studies and basketball development, attending Colegio Leones in León. This early exposure to European basketball fundamentals and competitive play would shape his future career trajectory significantly.
At age 14, Shulga relocated to Madrid to attend the Basketball School of Excellence in Torrelodones, where he refined his skills against stronger competition and developed the versatility that would define his playing style. The program provided him with structured coaching and exposure to American-style basketball, ultimately leading him to pursue college basketball opportunities in the United States.
Path to Professional Basketball
Following his impressive development at the Basketball School of Excellence, Shulga committed to play college basketball at Utah State University. His journey through the college ranks would see him become one of the Atlantic 10 Conference’s most decorated players before launching his professional career.
After beginning his college career at Utah State and experiencing success in the Mountain West Conference, Shulga entered the NCAA transfer portal following the departure of head coach Ryan Odom. He subsequently transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University to reunite with Odom, a decision that proved pivotal to his development and future draft prospects.
Maksym Shulga Career
Utah State Aggies (2020–2023)
Shulga began his college basketball career at Utah State, where he steadily developed into a reliable two-way player. During his junior season, he earned honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference recognition after averaging 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and four assists per game. These numbers demonstrated his ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories, showcasing the all-around skill set that would define his game at the next level.
Following the season and the departure of Aggies head coach Ryan Odom, Shulga made the decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal. This move would set the stage for the most productive years of his collegiate career.
VCU Rams Breakthrough (2023–2025)
Shulga transferred to VCU to play under Ryan Odom, and the change proved transformative for his career. In his first season with the Rams, he immediately established himself as one of the top players in the Atlantic 10 Conference, earning first-team All-Atlantic 10 honors while averaging 14 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
During his final collegiate season, Shulga elevated his game to even higher levels, recording career-high averages of 15 points, 5.9 rebounds, and four assists per game. His exceptional performance earned him Atlantic 10 Player of the Year honors, the highest individual accolade of his college career. He also secured a second consecutive first-team All-Atlantic 10 selection.
Shulga’s leadership was instrumental in guiding the Rams to both the Atlantic 10 Conference regular season and tournament championships in 2025. VCU won 18 of their final 20 games, earning a No. 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Rams’ season ended with a first-round loss to No. 6 seed BYU, but Shulga’s campaign had positioned him firmly on NBA scouts’ radars.
Following the season, Shulga declared for the 2025 NBA Draft. He was one of 75 players invited to the 2025 NBA Draft Combine in May, further validating his status as a professional prospect.
Boston Celtics Era (2025–Present)
Shulga was selected with the 57th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. His draft rights were immediately traded to the Boston Celtics, securing his path to a storied franchise with championship aspirations. On August 7, 2025, the Celtics officially signed Shulga to a two-way contract, assigning him to their NBA G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, to begin his professional development.
On February 4, 2026, Shulga logged his first NBA minutes during a 114–93 Boston victory over the Houston Rockets, appearing for approximately two minutes in his debut appearance. This milestone represented the culmination of his journey from Kyiv to the world’s premier basketball league.
Building on his development throughout the season, Shulga signed a two-year, standard contract with the Boston Celtics on March 15, 2026. This contract upgrade reflected the organization’s confidence in his potential and secured his long-term future with the franchise.
Playing Style and Strengths
Shulga is listed at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 meters) and weighs 210 pounds (95 kilograms), giving him the size to play both shooting guard and point guard positions. His game is characterized by versatility and basketball intelligence, with the ability to score, facilitate, and impact the game on both ends of the floor. His college statistics across multiple categories at both Utah State and VCU demonstrate his well-rounded skill set and team-first approach.
Maksym Shulga Career Highlights
Throughout his collegiate and professional career, Shulga has accumulated notable achievements that highlight his consistent development and competitive excellence at every level.
Atlantic 10 Conference Accolades
Shulga’s time at VCU represented the peak of his collegiate career. He earned Atlantic 10 Player of the Year honors in 2025, the conference’s top individual award. He also earned first-team All-Atlantic 10 recognition in both 2024 and 2025, demonstrating sustained excellence across two consecutive seasons. At Utah State, he earned honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference recognition during his junior season.
Team Success
Shulga’s senior season at VCU saw him lead the Rams to an Atlantic 10 Conference regular season and tournament championship sweep. The team finished with tremendous momentum, winning 18 of their final 20 games to earn a No. 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament, showcasing Shulga’s ability to perform in high-pressure situations and elevate his teammates.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025–2026 season marked Shulga’s rookie professional campaign following his selection in the 2025 NBA Draft. After signing his two-way contract in August 2025, he began the season with the Maine Celtics to develop his game in the NBA G League. His progression throughout the season earned him his first NBA minutes in February 2026 against Houston.
The season represented a significant learning curve as Shulga adjusted to the speed and physicality of professional basketball. Working within the Celtics’ developmental system, he had the opportunity to refine his skills while contributing to a franchise with championship aspirations. His eventual promotion from a two-way contract to a standard two-year deal in March 2026 demonstrated the organization’s belief in his long-term potential.