Vsevolod Ishchenko gave an interview to one of the biggest national sports media, in which he spoke of his recovery process, of what he learned during the NBA Summer League, and of the plans for the season—both personal and team-related.
- Seva, how are you feeling now, and what stage is your recovery at?
- Everything is going well; I’m now in the final stage of my recovery. I should be back on the court soon, and I’m doing my best to make that happen as quickly as possible.
- Aren't you upset because of that this pause has come just as you’ve reached a peak in terms of media visibility? Or do you see it as a reboot following an incredibly busy summer?
- No, it’s not upsetting. Good health is much more important. Being in the public eye is secondary. Yes, the summer was hectic, and now I’m paying the price for it. But that’s sports.
- Has anyone from the Dallas Mavericks been involved in your recovery process? Or are you entirely in the hands of Loko medics?
- Both. The medical and coaching staffs, as well as the management at Dallas, are in touch with me. They suggest adjustments, and the Lokomotiv medical staff—while also following their own plan—takes those suggestions into account.
- Aside from discussing your recovery process, do you stay in touch with anyone from the Mavs?
- Some people ask how I’m doing—not the coaches, but just people from the club whom I happened to get to know there.
- The last time you were on the court was during the Summer League. Are you satisfied with the amount of playing time you received there? And did you discuss this with the Mavs?
- We didn’t really discuss it much. In the Summer League, you have to prove yourself from scratch. No one is guaranteed any minutes. Everyone just tries to showcase their best qualities and earn some playing time.
- The style of basketball there is quite specific: many players focus exclusively on their statistics in order to land a contract. As a point guard with a team-first mindset, how hard was it for you to adapt to that kind of game?
- During the first few games, it was tough. At first, I didn’t quite understand how it was supposed to be played there. But then it got easier—by the last two games, I had more or less settled in.
- What was the biggest difference between the VTB United League and the intensity level of play in the NBA Summer League?
- In the VTB League, there is more emphasis on team play. The players are also more experienced—they may not run as fast or jump as high as those in the Summer League, but they perform very well thanks to their experience. In the Summer League, things are built more around athleticism and one-on-one play.
- Was there anything else you had to get used to in the U.S.?
- The ball is a bit different, I mean—it’s more slippery than the ones we’re used to in the VTB United League. That was the main thing I had to get used to.
- Looking back at your stint in Las Vegas: what specific aspects of your play—or perhaps your physical conditioning—do you think you were missing, preventing you from ultimately landing a contract?
- I’m not even sure. I think it was a case of falling a little bit short in a number of areas. As for the decision made by the Mavs' management—I accept their choice.
- Are you happy with how you played in the Summer League?
- I think I showed about 60% of what I was actually able of.
- Did this experience provide some confidence after all?
- We’ll see. In some ways, my perspective shifted a bit after my experience abroad. In other respects, I’ve stuck to my original views—I’ll just keep playing basketball.
- Looking at the current season, will the Lokomotiv coaching staff support you in the role you need to play in order to try to return to the U.S.?
- First and foremost, I need to recover from my injury. Our team's goal for this season is, at the very least, to reach the final. Therefore, I have to show that I'm capable of specific objectives. Nothing is simply handed to anyone.
- Was the plan to stay at Lokomotiv for another year considered the most likely scenario from the start?
- Of course, I had considered all the options. This one was pretty good—continuing to develop within a familiar system.
- How hard was it to switch back from the American pace and mentality to life in Krasnodar?
- It took about a week. The hardest part was readjusting to the time zone. Everything else was easy.
- How did your teammates at Loko welcome you back? Were there any jokes about the NBA?
- They congratulated me on playing in the Summer League, and asked a few questions. I brought them some gifts—fridge magnets, socks, T-shirts—and that was all. Sometimes they keep teasing me a bit. Other times, they forget.
- Has your perception of the VTB League’s level changed now that you’ve seen American basketball from the inside?
- I still consider the level of the VTB League high. Even with all the current challenges, it is still a top-tier European championship. The standard of basketball here is very good.
- Lokomotiv Kuban is renowned for the quality of their youth development. Do you feel that, right now, Krasnodar is the best place in Europe for you?
- I haven’t seen how things work in other parts of Europe, as I haven’t been there. But in Russia, this is, without a doubt, the best option for me.
- Can we expect that, during training sessions and games, you’ll now share with your teammates some of the tricks or techniques used in the Mavs?
- Hardly. I didn’t really get a chance to acknowledge much there. I’ll just try to keep communicating with my teammates during the game, like I always do.
- Did you share your experience regarding how things are set up in the Dallas Mavericks with anyone in Loko' management?
- Yes, I showed the photos and explained some thing to our team manager, Roma Pashutin.
- This season, as you mentioned, Lokomotiv have set themselves some major goals. Do you feel any pressure as a result of that?
- Some pressure exists—a sense that we need to deliver more than we did year before. But that is the very essence of sport: to reach ever-greater heights.
- In your opinion, what distinguishes a merely good team from a championship team?
- Unity and teamwork. The most important thing is that we must always remain a team. It’s impossible for a single player to score 15–20 points or grab 10–15 rebounds in every game. We have to help one another; if someone is struggling, we must compensate for it through other aspects of the game.
- Are you looking to try your hand overseas a year from now?
- Of course I do. That’s my goal—to go back to the NBA and play. But for now, I’m here and focusing on this season.
- In order to make the absolute most of this opportunity, what are the goals you’re heading into this season with?
- The goal is to win the championship. I want to win the title with the guys, and we’re going to try to do that this season.
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