Max Shulga's G League Performances
Ukrainian basketball player Max Shulga continues to impress for the Maine Celtics in the NBA G League while also contributing to the Ukrainian national team's 2027 FIBA World Cup qualification campaign. In his latest G League outing, Shulga helped secure a 122:97 victory over the Windy City Bulls. During his 25 minutes on court, he tallied 9 points, 3 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, while committing 2 fouls and 2 turnovers.
Across 23 regular-season G League games, Shulga has averaged 34.5 minutes, 16.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists. Following his recent G League performance, he was elevated to the Boston Celtics' active roster for their NBA game against the Philadelphia 76ers, a 114:98 win for Boston, though he did not see playing time. The G League serves as the NBA's official developmental league, where promising talents like Shulga hone their skills.
World Cup Qualification Campaign
In the third window of World Cup qualification, Ukraine suffered an 86:66 defeat to the powerhouse Spanish team. However, in the second window, the Ukrainian squad secured a crucial 88:71 victory over Denmark. After two qualification windows, Ukraine sits among the top two teams in its group. The next qualification window is scheduled for February 2026.
Ukraine's qualification journey began with a 92:79 win over Georgia. Oleksandr Kovliar was the top scorer in that match, putting up 31 points in 37 minutes. Oleksandr Lipovyi added 13 points, while Viacheslav Bobrov recorded a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds.
These results point to positive developments for Ukrainian basketball at both the club and international levels.
Shulga's standout play in the G League and his presence with the Boston Celtics underscore the growing visibility of Ukrainian players on the global stage. Despite the loss to Spain, the Ukrainian national team has shown considerable potential with its win over Denmark, highlighting the squad's competitiveness in the qualifying tournament. This is an encouraging sign for the future, as the team remains in contention for a spot at the 2027 FIBA World Cup.