Kyiv — Slava Medvedenko is a former basketball star who helped ship two NBA championships throughout his time with the Los Angeles Lakers. However when Russia invaded his residence nation, like so many different Ukrainians, he picked up a gun.
Having witnessed first-hand the affect of Russia's struggle on Ukraine's youth, Medvedenko bought his prized championship rings and used the proceeds to supply counselling and sporting alternatives to kids.
Of his hundreds of thousands of followers, none matter extra to the Ukrainian baller than the folks at residence in Kyiv who, like him, at the moment are residing in a warzone.
For one blissful second, for the youngsters who took supply of some new basketballs from the L.A. Lakers, the struggle was interrupted, they usually received to play the sport they love.
"They sort of neglect that there is a struggle," the NBA star stated, watching them on the court docket and calling it a type of "remedy" for the youngsters.
However immediately, the struggle got here barging in. As Russian forces hit Ukraine's energy grid with a barrage of missile strikes this week, the lights over the court docket went darkish.
Undeterred by the assault on their nation's primary providers, the children rapidly switched on their cellphone lights and saved the follow session going.
It is all painfully acquainted to Medvedenko, and it is why he selected to place down his basketball and decide up an assault rifle to hitch the struggle towards the invasion.
"I decided to remain in Kyiv," he informed CBS Information. "No matter I can do to defend my metropolis."
He stated he is seen his residence metropolis's streets affected by vehicles pockmarked by bullet holes, a few of them with the our bodies of slain civilians nonetheless inside. He stated one automobile was scrawled with massive writing, declaring clearly that there have been kids inside.
"However the Russians nonetheless shoot, shoot their vehicles," he stated. "That was scary."
It was that second, Medvedenko stated, when he absolutely understood what actually issues in life: Individuals, not possessions. Not even his prized NBA championship rings.
He stated the choice got here rapidly: "I've to promote my rings and assist my nation."
So he put them up for public sale on-line, hoping they'd fetch six figures collectively. However every of them did, individually, netting greater than 1 / 4 of one million dollars — a file for NBA championship rings.
Medvedenko informed CBS Information that made him very glad: "We are able to spend extra money on the children, and assist extra children!"
Via the charity he co-founded with a Ukrainian sports activities journalist, the Fly Excessive Basis, Medvedenko has helped restore shattered home windows and basketball courts at colleges that had been destroyed by Russian artillery, and ship children to basketball camps.
We requested him which he discovered extra rewarding, profitable championships alongside Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, or serving to the children in Kyiv.
"It is two totally different worlds," he stated, describing his youthful years with the NBA as a dream come true. "Now I am extra mature, and I feel totally different. I feel to assist my nation, it is extra vital."
Now Medvedenko has a brand new dream: "To get Ukrainians free, wholesome and impartial."