Kyrylo Fesenko Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Woelfel On Knicks, Ilyasova, Stackhouse, Fesenko

April 25th, 2012 at 8:29am CST by Luke Adams

Earlier this morning, we passed along a report from Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times on Beno Udrih's decision to exercise his player option this summer. Within the same column, Woelfel also shared a few other items of interest, so let's round those up:

Woelfel is hearing that the Knicks will make a "major push" to hire Phil Jackson as their new coach if the team doesn't make it through the first round of the playoffs. However, a New York Post report suggests that interim coach Mike Woodson has become the odds-on favorite to earn the permanent position after the Knicks named Glen Grunwald their permanent GM.
The "growing consensus" among some NBA officials is that Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova will land a multiyear contract worth about $8MM annually in free agency this summer.
Hawks veteran Jerry Stackhouse is close to ending his playing career and pursuing a coaching position in either college or the pros. "I’m trying to transition into the next phase of my career," Stackhouse said. "I definitely want to be a head coach some day and I’m willing to pay my dues to make it happen."
The Bucks were interested in Kyrylo Fesenko before the big man signed with the Pacers. Said Fesenko: "I had a good workout with the Bucks. I was interested (in signing with them), but they kept asking me to wait and to wait and to wait and I couldn’t wait anymore. I don’t what they were waiting for, a magic moment or what?"

Pacers Sign Kyrylo Fesenko

March 23rd, 2012 at 5:23pm CST by Ryan Raroque

FRIDAY, 5:23pm: The team has confirmed the signing through a release on Pacers.com.

THURSDAY, 7:04pm: The Pacers have signed center Kyrylo Fesenko for the remainder of the season, according to a tweet by Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated.

The former 38th pick of the 2007 draft last played for the Jazz during the 2010/11 season, averaging 2 PPG and 2 RPG in 8.6 MPG through 53 games. Fesenko joins the team just a day after we learned that center Jeff Foster announced his retirement.

While it is unclear of how much playing time Kyrylo will receive with around 20 games left during the regular season, the Pacers could certainly use his 7'1'', 280 lb frame in spot minutes and in practice. While Roy Hibbert at 7'2'' still remains the tallest player on the team, no one else on the Pacers roster is listed above 6'9''.

Bucks Looking At Fesenko, Mbenga

February 18th, 2012 at 3:35pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Bucks, without Andrew Bogut for much of the season and now missing Drew Gooden with a sprained right wrist and knee soreness, are thin at center. So, Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the Bucks are considering Kyrylo Fesenko and D.J. Mbenga to fill the void.

The Bucks have had their eye on Fesenko for a while. After being taken in the second round of the 2007 draft, the 7'1", 288-pounder saw limited minutes in four seasons with the Jazz, but filled in as the starter for an injured Mehmet Okur when Utah made their run to the conference semifinals in 2010.

The 7'0", 245-pound Mbenga has eight years of NBA experience, most notably as a little-used backup on championship Lakers teams in 2009 and 2010. He spent last year as a reserve for the Hornets.

The Bucks have been linked to Joel Przybilla, but concerns over his health are reportedly causing teams to back off.

Bucks Rumors: Jackson, Skiles, Fesenko

February 17th, 2012 at 8:52am CST by Luke Adams

Here are a few Bucks updates, as Milwaukee tries to snap a three-game losing streak tonight in Orlando….

It's "a given" that the Bucks will try to deal Stephen Jackson before the trade deadline, but the $10MM+ he's guaranteed next year won't make it easy, says Gery Woefel of the Racine Journal Times.
Woelfel spoke to NBA officials who believe Jackson could be moved if he were part of a package that included a player like Ersan Ilyasova or Brandon Jennings. Ilyasova, I could see, but I'd be pretty shocked if the Bucks traded Jennings.
Jackson's relationship with coach Scott Skiles is one reason the Bucks will try to find a suitor for the 6'8" shooter. According to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld, the two have had "numerous run-ins" relating to Jackson's professionalism and impact on young players.
Jackson on Skiles, in an interview with Milwaukee's NBC affiliate: "We don't have no relationship like I've had with other coaches and I don't expect to have one. Too much stuff has happened."
Within Woelfel's column for the Journal Times, he notes that the Bucks hope to set up a meeting with free agent big man Kyrylo Fesenko next week. The Heat, Bulls, and Hawks are also showing interest in Fesenko, says Woelfel.

Hawks Eyeing Free Agent Centers

February 5th, 2012 at 1:54pm CST by Michael Pina

The Atlanta Hawks plan on signing a center to a 10-day contract, and have had internal discussions about bringing in Kyrylo Fesenko, Erick Dampier, or Dan Gadzuric according to Michael Cunningham of the Altanta Journal-Constitution.

With Jason Collins out at least two weeks with a sprained left elbow, the Hawks have a desire to solidify what's quickly become a thin front line.

In December, Sam Amick of SI.com reported that the Golden State Warriors had come to an agreement with Fesenko on a one-year, $1.07MM contract, but the signing never materialized. The Ukranian is 24-year-old seven-footer who might be able to give the Hawks a much needed interior defensive presence. Playing for Utah during the 2010/11 season, Fesenko averaged 2.0 PPG and 2.0 RPG in just 8.6 MPG.

The 36-year-old Erick Dampier spent the 2010/11 season in Miami, but didn't register a single minute during their postseason run to the Finals.

Bucks Eyeing Fesenko, Przybilla

February 3rd, 2012 at 4:21pm CST by Luke Adams

After waiving Darington Hobson earlier today, the Bucks are searching for a big man to fill their open roster spot, reports Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. According to Kennedy, Milwaukee is considering free agents Kyrylo Fesenko and Joel Przybilla.

With Andrew Bogut's broken ankle expected to sideline him for most of the season, the Bucks are seeking frontcourt depth. Przybilla is said to be deciding between offers from the Heat and Bulls, so he may not consider an offer from Milwaukee at this point. Fesenko, meanwhile, nearly signed with the Warriors in December, but has remained on the market since then. For what it's worth, head coach Scott Skiles indicated earlier today that no moves were imminent for the Bucks.

For an idea of other free agent options the Bucks could pursue, check out our list of current unrestricted free agents.