Tasmania once seemed an unlikely step on the path to an NBA dream. But for young Russian Nikita Mikhailovskii he’s hoping a season with the Tasmania JackJumpers through the NBL Next Star’s program will be the key to furthering his NBA dream.
Its Boxing Day in Hobart, Tasmania, and the post-christmas public holiday has brought another sell-out crowd. They’re hoping the Tasmania JackJumpers can end their 4-game losing streak with victory over the New Zealand Breakers.
As the final minutes wind down the crowd is sensing victory as Tasmania stretch the lead to double figures. Watching on from the JackJumpers bench is Nikita Mikhailovskii, hopeful of checking in late in the game. The 21-year-old Russian, already a four year pro, stands at 6’7″ and possesses an elite shooting ability from outside. He moved to Tasmania several months ago to be part of the team’s debut NBL season.
He was lured by the NBL’s Next Stars program, which is drawing young talent across the globe to the league. The program provides a professional basketball atmosphere to assist with individual player development and preparation for the potential career in the NBA. Players such as Lamelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets), RJ Hampton (Orlando Magic), Didi Lozada (New Orleans Pelicans) and Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City Thunder) have all come through the Next Stars program.
Today, Nikita is back in the lineup following an interrupted start to the season. So far this season he has been sidelined for three games with injury and illness. As the buzzer sounds to end the game, the JackJumpers break their losing streak to beat New Zealand by nine points.
However, its a “DNP coach’s decision” for Nikita. Through the first seven games of the regular season he is yet to step onto the floor. But his lack of playing time so far has little to do with his basketball ability, but more him adjusting to a new country, culture, team and style of play.
Embed from Getty ImagesTransition to Australia
Stepping outside of the Russian VTB United league for the first time, the move to Australia was always going to test Nikita. He spoke limited english on his arrival to Tasmania, which placed an additional barrier to adjusting to life in a foreign country and culture, but also trying to find his role in his new team.
The coaching staff were also tested, who were trying to find roles for Nikita and 14 other players on a brand new team. They knew the unique talent and experience Nikita was bringing to the team, but also standing firm that reputations counted for little. With all players needing to earn their minutes on the practice floor.
“I don’t think people realise how big his transition has been coming from Russia. There’s no translator here like other Next Stars in the league,” JackJumpers assistant coach Jacob Chance told WIN Television in mid-December.
“The talent [of Mikhailovski] is not any question. Never has, never will be. He’s got some really talented guys ahead of him which doesn’t help his case for minutes.…..that’s great for Nikita, he needs that sort of competition. I think the Next Stars that go through and earn their way actually come out better for it at the other end,” he said.
Embed from Getty ImagesNikita’s agent Arturs Kalnitis agreed that Nikita has faced significant challenges with his move to Australia.
“Honestly, he has been pretty unfortunate and had bad luck with some minor injuries, illnesses while he has been in Tasmania. So that has affected his playing time and position on the team. As we all know with young players, this is a marathon and I believe that this experience is what Nikita needed to take the next steps in his life on and off the court. We trust the JackJumpers coach and believe that Nikita will crack the rotation and show what he is capable of when he gets healthy”, he said.
A young star in Russia
A year ago Nikita was playing his fourth season with Russian club Avtodor Saratov in the highly regarded VTB United League. Despite his team missing out on the playoffs, Nikita averaged 8.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1 assist per game. Whilst shooting 45% from the field and 40% on three pointers. Nikita’s performance was rewarded with the league’s young player of the year award, which recognised the best player under the age of 22. In doing so he created history, becoming the first player to win the award twice (having first won in 2019).
It was further recognition for the young Russian, who was already on the radar as an NBA prospect through impressive performances at junior international competition.
In 2019, Nikita played a major role for the Russia at the under-19 world cup, averaging 10 points 7 rebounds and 5 assists. His highlight of that tournament was a 20 point, 13 rebound, and 12 assist performance in a win over Greece. Becoming the first player to record a triple-double at the tournament since Dario Saric in 2013.
While in 2018 he was voted onto the All-Star five at the FIBA Europe Under 18 championship and the All-Tournament Team at the Albert Schweitzer International Under 18 championship.
Choosing Tasmania and the NBL to chase the NBA
Following his successful 2021 season in the VTB United league, there was further interest in Nikita outside of Russia. Due to his age, Nikita was eligible to declare for the 2021 or 2022 NBA drafts. However, to gauge the level of interest first hand, Nikita visited the USA in June 2021. On this visit he worked out with a number of NBA teams including Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards. Nikita was also one of 12 draft hopefuls invited to take part in a mini-combine in front of 25 NBA teams.
Nice opportunity for NBA executives to evaluate VTB rookie of the year Nikita Mikhailovskii at his Pro Day in Chicago. Russian wing stands 6-foot-8 and shot 43% for 3 this past season. pic.twitter.com/bAnlr9FK8H
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) July 2, 2021
Arturs Kalnitis advised that NBA teams feedback from that trip played a pivotal role in his move to Australia.
“NBA teams wanted to see him living outside of Russia, to see him get adjusted to english environment. That was a major factor for us.” he said.
“Nikita chose to come to Australia as we decided that he needs a change of basketball scenery and we hope and believe that it was the right move both in terms of basketball development and development for Nikita personally.
“He is the first Russian player to ever try this path and, all in all, I believe that living in an english talking environment will make his transition to USA lifestyle a lot easier,” Arturs Kalnitis said.
Managing expectations
Prior to the start of the NBL season, NBL media’s Liam Santamaria and ESPN NBA draft expert Jonathan Givony provided insights on all seven Next Star players. They focused on what Nikita would bring to the NBL and what he needed to improve.
“He’s got great size for a wing and he can really, really shoot the ball. I mean, he’s been a 42 to 46 per cent three-point shooter his whole career. There’s a lot of value in that; a 6’9” guy who is an absolute sniper” Liam Santamaria said.
“That’s going to be his role (with the JackJumpers) but he’s also not completely one-dimensional. He’s good in transition, he’s shown some ability to pass the ball and he’s coming in with a lot of experience under his belt. He’s ready to make an impact that’s pretty close to an import-caliber guy for Tasmania.”
Jonathan Givony commented on what Nikita needed to show in the NBL.
“First of all: defence. He’s never really shown any inclination to stop his man,” he said.
“Secondly, talking to Americans that have played with him and other Russian guys they say he’s not a very bubbly, engaging personality. Cleaning some of that stuff up and showing that it’s not all about him all the time and you can make other people better and your body language can stay positive even when your teammates mess up. I think that’s something that people are going to want to see more of and learn more about.
“That’s why I think leaving Russia, leaving Saratov, and going to Tasmania could just make a world of difference for a kid like that. Let’s see how he opens up and how he blossoms,” Jonathan Givony said
Buying in on the defensive end
Defense is a staple of Scott Roth, head coach of the Tasmania JackJumpers. Roth has openly admitted his first-year team doesn’t have the talent on paper offensively to match other NBL teams. But he wants his team to close that gap on the defensive end. Willing his players to compete, scrap and claw on every defensive possession.
Despite Roth’s old-school basketball “defense-first” mentality, there is no doubt a player being able to contribute at both ends of the floor is highly valued by basketball teams worldwide.
It hasn’t resulted in minutes on the court so far this season, but meeting Scott Roth’s defensive challenges each week at training can only better prepare Nikita for his future basketball path.
Embed from Getty Images“Defensively, he is getting better every day, so that is a work in progress. But his offense is what gets people the most excited, 6’7 who can handle the ball, play pick and roll and is athletic plus is a deadly shooter, what more do you need?” Arturs Kalnitis says.
“This is a marathon not a sprint in terms of the young players. This aligns on so many levels what we wanted to do with Nikita this year, obviously its just the beginning of the season and we’ll see how it goes but we’re excited what the future holds for Nikita”.
