DETROIT — Lauri Markkanen recalls the first time he noticed Svi Mykhailiuk back in 2015 during a FIBA U18 EuroBasket warmup game. At that time, Mykhailiuk, then an athletic teenager from Ukraine, was captivating audiences with his electrifying dunks, and his commitment to play for Kansas was already generating buzz.
Fast forward a decade, and the 28-year-old Mykhailiuk had a similar impact during a recent game in Detroit. Although he may not be soaring through the air as he did in his youth, he showcased his scoring ability with a striking performance in the 114-103 victory over the Utah Jazz at Little Caesars Arena. Mykhailiuk amassed a career-high 28 points, shooting 10-of-16 from the field and nailing six three-pointers.
“I’ve played against him in international games, I’ve known him from college days,” stated Markkanen, acknowledging Mykhailiuk’s growth. “He’s steadily getting better. I’m happy he found a role that he can play. He’s doing a good job for us.”
For Mykhailiuk, finding his place has been a long journey, as he has now played for eight different teams, including the Lakers, Pistons, Thunder, Raptors, Knicks, Hornets, and a season in Boston. This transient career path has often kept him out of the limelight, and even after his standout performance, he was quick to head for the bus before the media arrived in the locker room.
“Svi’s been on nine teams — something like that — and so it doesn’t always work out in the first place,” Markkanen reflected. “When I’ve talked to him, he’s kept his mind right and kept working, and now he’s in a spot that he gets to play a lot and he has a lot of responsibility. I’m happy for him.”
This season, Mykhailiuk has established himself as a consistent starter for the Jazz, averaging 6.9 points over 27.1 minutes per game. He has provided the team with essential floor spacing and some added playmaking ability, especially for a squad that sometimes struggles with ball-handling.
“He’s steady in terms of his approach, his professionalism, kind of understanding where he is in his career and how he can play off the other guys,” Jazz coach Will Hardy explained. “We’ve had him in certain moments handle the ball a bunch, because we needed it — and he grew up as a point guard. So, yeah, he’s an overall pretty skilled basketball player and a really competitive guy.”
However, some Jazz fans have expressed frustrations regarding Mykhailiuk’s minutes, as they are eager to see rookie Ace Bailey take on a greater role. Given Bailey’s potential as the future of the franchise, this concern is understandable.
Hardy emphasizes that he doesn’t believe in giving away minutes without merit. He sees Mykhailiuk’s ongoing journey as a teaching moment for younger players. “Desperation is a heck of a thing,” Hardy noted. “I think he models really good professional behavior for our young players… he really gives himself to the group.”
Bailey himself has acknowledged the influence Mykhailiuk has on him, stating, “I mean, his time and the patience he got — everything I do right now, I feel like it’s kind of fast… he’s got patience with it.”
While Mykhailiuk might not possess the same vertical leap as he once did, this season has proven that he can still leave a meaningful impact on the court and inspire those around him.