Artem Pustovyi's Performance in Spain
Ukrainian national team center and former captain Artem Pustovyi continues his campaign in Spain's top basketball league with club Andorra. In a recent match against Baskonia, Andorra fell short with a final score of 79:88. Despite the loss, Pustovyi delivered a standout performance, logging 23 minutes on the court. He scored a personal season-high 23 points, shooting an efficient 8/10 on two-point attempts and 7/9 from the free-throw line. He also secured 13 rebounds, dished out 1 assist, made 1 steal, and blocked 1 shot, though he also committed 3 turnovers and 4 personal fouls. His efficiency rating (EFF) for the game was an impressive +35, setting a new personal record for his debut season with Andorra. His previous scoring high was 19 points against Bilbao, and his previous best efficiency rating of +24 was also recorded against Baskonia in the 14th round of the league.
2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers
The Ukrainian national basketball team has also continued its campaign in the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers. In the fourth qualifying match, the team lost to Spain with a score of 64:78. The top scorers for Ukraine in that game were:
- Lukashov - 6 points
- Kovliar - 11 points
- Tkachenko - 4 points
- Voinarovych - 12 points
- Skapintsev - 4 points
- Lypovyy - 8 points
- Bobrov - 7 points
- Zotov - 0 points
- Pustovyi - 3 points
- Tyrtyshnyk - 7 points
- Shelist - 2 points
- Sushkin - 2 points
In the third qualifying round, Spain also defeated Ukraine, this time by a score of 86:66. However, Ukraine secured a victory in the second round, defeating Denmark 88:71. Their campaign began with a win in the first round, where they beat Georgia 92:79. Oleksandr Kovliar was the top performer in the game against Georgia, scoring 31 points in 37 minutes. Oleksandr Lypovyy added 13 points, while Vyacheslav Bobrov recorded a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds.
Artem Pustovyi's strong club form is a positive sign for the national team as they navigate a challenging qualification group. His continued high-level performances provide hope for Ukraine's future success in the World Cup qualifying process.
Ukraine's qualification results have been mixed, with wins against Denmark and Georgia but losses to a powerful Spanish side. To secure a spot in the final tournament, the team must find consistency in its upcoming matches. As a team leader, Pustovyi's experience and current form will be crucial in guiding Ukraine toward this goal, both in domestic leagues and on the international stage.
As Pustovyi continues to shine in the Spanish league, his journey from the Ukrainian national team has been remarkable. For a deeper look into his career trajectory, including his retirement from international play and his evolution from Khimik to Barcelona, check out this insightful article on the highlights of his basketball journey.