Arizona men’s basketball is making history-and doing it with style. Sitting at 22-0, the Wildcats are off to the best start in program history, and now just one win away from setting a new Big 12 record for the most consecutive victories to open a season. It’s not just the record that’s impressive-it’s how they’re getting there.
This year’s squad is a well-balanced blend of youthful spark and seasoned leadership. Freshmen Koa Peat and Brayden Burries have been electric, showing poise beyond their years.
Jaden Bradley and Motiejus Krivas bring the kind of veteran presence that steadies the ship when things get tight. But if you’re looking for the glue guy-the one who doesn’t always headline the box score but consistently impacts the game-it’s time to talk about Ivan Kharchenkov.
Kharchenkov might be flying under the radar, but make no mistake: he’s one of the most important pieces in Arizona’s rotation. Averaging 9.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, he’s shooting a solid 51% from the field and 72% from the line.
Those numbers are respectable, but they don’t tell the full story. What makes Kharchenkov stand out is everything that doesn’t show up in the stat sheet.
Night in and night out, Kharchenkov draws the toughest defensive assignment. He’s often tasked with locking down the opposing team’s top scorer-and more often than not, he delivers. His defensive instincts, physicality, and relentless motor have become a hallmark of Arizona’s identity on that end of the floor.
And then there’s the emotion. Kharchenkov plays with fire, and it’s contagious.
In Arizona’s first showdown with rival Arizona State, he poured in 15 points and grabbed four boards, but it was his energy that lit the fuse. Whether it was diving for loose balls or tipping passes to disrupt ASU’s rhythm, he was everywhere.
“It’s a derby game,” Kharchenkov said after that win. “I feel like I’m a really emotional guy, because it’s a close game. I tried to bring even more emotion, bring more than 100%, and I think that we needed that for sure.”
That passion wasn’t a one-time thing, either. When the Wildcats traveled to Tempe for the rematch at what UA fans affectionately call “McKale North,” Kharchenkov brought the same intensity. He fed off the rivalry, but he also fed off the fans-especially at home in McKale Center, where the ZonaZoo creates one of the most electric atmospheres in college basketball.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “I love playing in front of them.
I feel like they’re game changers. Sometimes they’re just giving us extra energy.”
That connection with the crowd is real, and it’s part of what’s helped Kharchenkov transition so smoothly from Europe to the U.S. game. Originally from Munich, Germany, Kharchenkov had already been playing against grown men by the time he was 16, suiting up for Bayern Munich’s senior team. That experience has made him physically and mentally ready for the grind of Big 12 basketball.
“Here’s a different kind of environment,” he explained. “We’re playing at the university.
They were just playing the club there. So that’s for sure a big difference-the age difference.
We got a student section here. We got a band here.
It’s really fun.”
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd knows exactly what he’s got in Kharchenkov.
“I think Ivan is built for every game,” Lloyd said. “Maybe give me an example of what he’s not built for. The guy’s a winner, and he’s doing a great job.”
As Arizona gears up for a tough Big 12 stretch run, Kharchenkov’s contributions-on both ends of the floor-will be crucial. Whether he’s locking down a top scorer, making the extra pass, or firing up the crowd with a hustle play, he’s become a key cog in one of the most dominant teams in the country.
So while the headlines may go to the high-flying freshmen or the stat-stuffing vets, don’t overlook No. 5. Ivan Kharchenkov is doing the dirty work, bringing the energy, and helping Arizona chase perfection-one game at a time.