Slava Medvedenko

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Stanislav Medvedenko
Станіслав Медведенко

Position	Power forward
Height	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Weight	253 lb (115 kg)
Team	Atlanta Hawks
Born	April 4, 1979 (1979-04-04) (age 29) Karapyshi, Kiev Oblast, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
Nationality	Ukraine
Draft	Undrafted
Pro career	1997–present
Former teams	Budivelnik Kiev (1997–1998) Alita Ayltus (1998–1999) BC Kiev (1999–2000) Los Angeles Lakers (2000–2006) Atlanta Hawks (2006–2007)

Stanislav "Slava" Medvedenko (Ukrainian: Станіслав "Слава" Медведенко, born April 4, 1979 in Karapyshi, Kiev Oblast, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union) is a Ukrainian professional basketball player, who last played with the Atlanta Hawks in the National Basketball Association. His position is power forward.

Medvedenko, who joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000, is known for his shoot-first mentality. His shooting technique and skill have never been in doubt, but his work ethic and defense were far behind his offensive skills in his early career (much to the ire of sports commentators, especially Stephen A. Smith).

The 2003–04 season was his breakout year, as Karl Malone injured his knee and Medvedenko started the majority of games. As such, his scoring and rebounding averages doubled and he was no longer seen as a liability in the fans' eyes. Unfortunately, an injury kept him out of the 2004 pre-season and he dropped down the depth chart, unable to find his way back into the lineup under Rudy Tomjanovich. With Phil Jackson's return to the Lakers, there was hope that Medvedenko would play a greater role due to his experience with the triangle offense. However, due to a herniated disc in his lower back that required surgery, he missed almost the entire 2006 season. He was waived at the beginning of March, 2006, to clear roster space to enable the Lakers to sign guard Jim Jackson.

Medvedenko was signed by the Atlanta Hawks on December 28, 2006 for about $600,000, for the remainder of the season.^[1]As of December 27, 2007, he is unemployed and still treating his lower back.^[2]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Player profile on NBA.com
• Player profile on ESPN.com
• Interview with Medvedenko
• Slava's First American TV Interview

v • d • e Los Angeles Lakers 2001-02 NBA Champions 2 Fisher | 3 George | 5 Horry | 8 Bryant | 10 Hunter | 14 Medvedenko | 17 Fox | 20 Shaw | 23 Richmond | 34 O'Neal (Finals MVP) | 35 Madsen | 52 Walker | Coach Jackson

Persondata
NAME	Medvedenko, Stanislav
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Medvedenko, Slava (nickname)
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Pro basketball player
DATE OF BIRTH	April 4, 1979
PLACE OF BIRTH	Karapyshi, Kiev Oblast, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH