Shaquille O’Neal Invited to Conflict-Ridden Ukraine By An Old Friend Fighting the Russian Forces

Following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, people from both countries have tried to help their nations in any way they can. One such citizen is Ukrainian basketball player Stanislav (Slava) Medvedenko, who has also interestingly invited his former teammate Shaquille O’Neal to Ukraine.

Slava Medvedenko played 7 seasons in the NBA. He won 2 NBA titles playing alongside Kobe and Shaq. He played for the Lakers for six seasons. Slava had a good relationship with the management and his teammates. Despite never averaging more than 8 points for the Lakers, team owner Jeanie Buss called him an ultimate role player.

She said that how he played the game of basketball was a reflection of how good a person he was.

Slava Medvedenko went back to Ukraine to help his nation. His job is to anticipate the moment the Russians will arrive. 

WATCH THIS STORY: Who is Medvedenko?

His guard station is the tallest building in that particular Kyiv neighborhood. Slava lives there with his wife and two kids.

Stanislav Slava Medvedenko seeks Lakers’ help and invites Shaquille O’Neal

Since the conflict started, Medvedenko has done everything in his power to help his nation. Recently, he invited Shaq, who is among the most influential sports personalities in the world, to Ukraine.

Medvedenko said he wants to extend an invitation to O’Neal to visit him in Ukraine. He wishes to add Shaq to the list of the notable influx of other celebrities, like Angelina Jolie and U2 visiting Kyiv. He even jokingly said, “There’s almost a line”.

Slava has also helped the neighborhood where he guards right now financially. Medvedenko has auctioned off almost all of his memorabilia. He has sold his t-shirts, jerseys, and shoes. He has planned to auction off his 2 rings next for which he sought help from the Lakers. Jeanie Buss and the executives assured him that they would replace the rings if he sold his.

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Jeanie also said that she was proud of what Medvedenko was doing and also that he called for help. She believes that the Lakers are a big family and their former players know when they need help that somebody will answer their call.

Medvedenko had plans to open a sports facility in Kyiv with a hockey rink on one side and a basketball court on the other. This aim was before the war and he could not formulate that to happen. However, he is still doing absolutely everything he can in order to help his country.