Vladimir Tkachenko
Encyclopedia
Vladimir Pyotrovich Tkachenko is a retired Ukrainian
professional basketball
player. Tkachenko won two Olympics Basketball
medals and three FIBA World Championship
medals with the Soviet Union national basketball team
in a career that lasted 16 years. He was named both the Euroscar and the Mr. Europa
European Player of the Year
in 1979.
was a great defensive player. He could block out 2-3 opponents to give teammates a chance to grab a rebound
. His offensive ability was however important too; as his post up moves were basic but effective and his shooting
was good for a player of his size, with a range of approximately 17 feet.
Tkachenko began playing for Stroitel Kiev
in the 1973-74 season, when he was 16 years old. He continued to play for them through the 1980-81 season. In 1983, he began playing for CSKA Moscow
and he stayed there until his retirement after the 1988-89 season.
, participating in many European Championship
and FIBA World Championship
competitions. Highlights would include the two bronze medals at the 1976 Olympics Basketball Tournament
and at the 1980 Olympics Basketball Tournament
, the gold medal at the 1982 FIBA World Championship
(also silver medals at the 1978 FIBA World Championship
and the 1986 FIBA World Championship
) as well as three gold medals at the European Championship
: at the 1979 European Championship
, the 1981 European Championship
, and the 1985 European Championship
(also silvers at the 1977 European Championship
and the 1987 European Championship
).
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. Tkachenko won two Olympics Basketball
Basketball at the Summer Olympics
Basketball has been a Summer Olympics sport for men consistently since 1936. Prior to its inclusion as a medal sport, it was held as demonstration event in 1904 and 1932, both in the United States. Women's basketball was played in the Olympics only since 1976....
medals and three FIBA World Championship
FIBA World Championship
The FIBA World Championship is an international basketball competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of the International Basketball Federation , the sport's global governing body...
medals with the Soviet Union national basketball team
Soviet Union national basketball team
The Soviet national basketball team was the basketball side that represented the Soviet Union in international competitions. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the successor countries all set up their own national teams...
in a career that lasted 16 years. He was named both the Euroscar and the Mr. Europa
Mr. Europa
The Mister Europa European Player of the Year Award is an annual basketball award created in 1976 and given today by the panel of journalists of the Italian weekly magazine Superbasket. Its purpose is to praise the best European basketball player, regardless of where he plays in the world,...
European Player of the Year
European Basketball Player of the Year Awards
The European Basketball Player of the Year Awards are the three awards given out on a yearly basis to the best male European basketball player of the year. More specifically, those are the Mr. Europa award, which began in 1976, the Euroscar, established in 1979, and the FIBA Europe Player of the...
in 1979.
Pro career
Tkachenko, a 7 ft 3 ½ in (2.23m), 245 lbs. (111 kg) centerCenter (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
was a great defensive player. He could block out 2-3 opponents to give teammates a chance to grab a rebound
Rebound (basketball)
A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made...
. His offensive ability was however important too; as his post up moves were basic but effective and his shooting
Shooting
Shooting is the act or process of firing rifles, shotguns or other projectile weapons such as bows or crossbows. Even the firing of artillery, rockets and missiles can be called shooting. A person who specializes in shooting is a marksman...
was good for a player of his size, with a range of approximately 17 feet.
Tkachenko began playing for Stroitel Kiev
BC Budivelnyk Kyiv
BC Budivelnik is a Ukrainian professional basketball club based in Kiev. The club is currently playing in the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague. Budivelnik is owned and operated by the same group as the Kiev based hockey club, Budivelnyk.-History:...
in the 1973-74 season, when he was 16 years old. He continued to play for them through the 1980-81 season. In 1983, he began playing for CSKA Moscow
PBC CSKA Moscow
PBC CSKA Moscow is a Russian professional basketball team that is based in Moscow, Russia. The club is a member of the VTB United League. It is often referred to in the West as "Red Army" for its past affiliation with the Soviet Army. CSKA has won two titles between 2006 and 2009 in Europe's...
and he stayed there until his retirement after the 1988-89 season.
Soviet Union national team
From 1976 to 1987, Tkachenko played on the Soviet Union national basketball teamSoviet Union national basketball team
The Soviet national basketball team was the basketball side that represented the Soviet Union in international competitions. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the successor countries all set up their own national teams...
, participating in many European Championship
Eurobasket
The EuroBasket, also referred to as the FIBA European Basketball Championship, is the main basketball competition contested biennially by the men's national teams governed by FIBA Europe, the European zone within the International Basketball Federation. The championship was first held in 1935 and...
and FIBA World Championship
FIBA World Championship
The FIBA World Championship is an international basketball competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of the International Basketball Federation , the sport's global governing body...
competitions. Highlights would include the two bronze medals at the 1976 Olympics Basketball Tournament
Basketball at the 1976 Summer Olympics
Basketball contests at the 1976 Summer Olympics took place from July 18 to July 27 at the Centre Étienne Desmarteau and the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Canada. Women's basketball was introduced to the Olympic program for the first time at this Games...
and at the 1980 Olympics Basketball Tournament
Basketball at the 1980 Summer Olympics
Basketball at the 1980 Summer Olympics was held from July 20 to July 30 at the Olympiiski Indoor Stadium and at the CSKA Sports Palace, both located in Moscow. Finals of both men's and women's events were held 30 July at the Olympiiski Indoor Stadium....
, the gold medal at the 1982 FIBA World Championship
1982 FIBA World Championship
The 1982 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Colombia from August 15 to 28 , 1982.-Venues:- Competing nations :- Preliminary round :-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Classification round:-Final round:...
(also silver medals at the 1978 FIBA World Championship
1978 FIBA World Championship
The 1978 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Philippines from October 1 to 14, 1978.Rizal Memorial Coliseum at Manila and Araneta Coliseum at Quezon City, Metro Manila were the venues for the event.-Venues:...
and the 1986 FIBA World Championship
1986 FIBA World Championship
The 1986 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Spain from July 5 to 19 1986.The Final phase of the tournament was held at the Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad, Madrid...
) as well as three gold medals at the European Championship
Eurobasket
The EuroBasket, also referred to as the FIBA European Basketball Championship, is the main basketball competition contested biennially by the men's national teams governed by FIBA Europe, the European zone within the International Basketball Federation. The championship was first held in 1935 and...
: at the 1979 European Championship
EuroBasket 1979
The 1979 European Basketball Championship, and in short Eurobasket 1979, was the 21st regional championship held by FIBA Europe. Twelve national teams affiliated with the International Basketball Federation entered the competition. The competition was hosted by Italy...
, the 1981 European Championship
EuroBasket 1981
The 1981 FIBA European Basketball Championship, commonly called EuroBasket 1981, was the 22nd regional championship held by FIBA Europe. The competition was hosted by Czechoslovakia and took place from May 26 to June 5, 1981...
, and the 1985 European Championship
EuroBasket 1985
-Venues:-Group A - Karlsruhe :-Group A - Leverkusen :-Places 9 - 12 in Stuttgart:-1/4 finals :-Places 5 - 8 in Stuttgart:-Places 1 - 4 in Stuttgart:-Finals in Stuttgart:-Final rankings:# # # # # # # # # # # #...
(also silvers at the 1977 European Championship
EuroBasket 1977
-Final rankings:# # # # # # # # # # # # -Group A - Liège:-Group B - Ostend:-Places 9 - 12 in Liège:-Places 5 - 8 in Liège:-Places 1 - 4 in Liège:-Finals:-Team rosters:...
and the 1987 European Championship
Eurobasket 1987
The EuroBasket 1987 was held in Greece between June 3 and June 14, 1987. Twelve national teams entered the event under the auspices of FIBA Europe, the sport's regional governing body...
).