Kyiv-Basket Welcomes New Head Coach
Valerii Plekhanov has been appointed as the new head coach of basketball club Kyiv-Basket, taking over from Dmytro Zabrichenko. In a related move, Zabrichenko has been named head coach of Kharkivski Sokoly. Plekhanov brings extensive experience in Ukrainian basketball, having previously led teams such as BC DniproAzot, BC Donetsk, BC Kryvbas, and BC Zaporizhzhia.
Plekhanov’s Track Record
Under Plekhanov’s leadership, BC Donetsk reached the Super League finals in the 2013/2014 season. Additional highlights include:
- Kryvbas earned bronze medals in the 2015/2016 season;
- BC Zaporizhzhia won the regular season championship and secured bronze in the 2018/2019 season;
- Zaporizhzhia advanced to the Super League finals in the 2020/2021 season under his guidance, ultimately losing to Prometey;
- Plekhanov also coached Kharkivski Sokoly, leading them to a second-place finish in the regular season of 2025/26 and a fourth-place finish in the playoffs.
“A specialist with vast experience, a long-time assistant head coach of the Ukrainian national team, and a head coach of Ukraine’s youth teams for many years, he will lead our team to new victories in the upcoming season,” the club stated.
Separately, Ukraine’s men’s national team has played several matches in the qualification rounds for the 2027 FIBA World Cup. In the fourth round, the team lost to Spain with a score of 78:64. Ukraine struggled offensively in that game, ending the first quarter trailing 9:16.
In the third qualification round, Spain defeated Ukraine 66:86. However, in the second round, the Ukrainians secured a vital win over Denmark, 88:71. Ukraine also kicked off the qualifiers with a victory against Georgia, 92:79. Oleksandr Kovliar starred in the Georgia matchup with 31 points, while Viacheslav Bobrov recorded a double-double of 11 points and 15 rebounds.
Valerii Plekhanov’s appointment as head coach of Kyiv-Basket comes amid active shifts in Ukrainian basketball, as the national team continues its fight on the international stage.
This coaching change signals strategic adjustments within Ukrainian basketball clubs, all aiming to boost performance both domestically and internationally. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s national team faces tough challenges in World Cup 2027 qualifying, raising questions about its future prospects. Bringing in an experienced coach like Plekhanov could be a key step in raising the competitiveness of both the clubs and the national team.
As Plekhanov steps into his new role at Kyiv-Basket, it's worth noting that his predecessor, Dmytro Zabrichenko, has now taken charge of Kharkivski Sokoly. This transition marks a significant shift for both teams in the league. To learn more about Zabrichenko's departure and the implications for Kharkivski Sokoly, click here.