It’s hard to imagine what Arizona’s historic 2025-26 season would have been like without Ivan Kharchenkov, which makes the fact that Wildcat fans had never heard of him a year ago that much more impressive. Kharchenkov didn’t commit to Tommy Lloyd and the UA until last June, after Carter Bryant decided to go all in on the NBA Draft. This year, the staff won’t have to wait that long or make any last minute roster adjustments after Ivan Kharchenkov announced he is returning to Arizona for the 2026-27 season.
The 6-foot-7 freshman was a pleasant surprise on both ends of the floor this season, quickly emerging as the Wildcats’ glue guy. He started all 39 games this season, averaging 10.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, while shooting 49.2 percent from the field. Kharchenkov seemed to always rise to the occasion this season, showing up in the biggest games when it mattered most. He burst onto the scene with a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double in the season-opener against Florida in Las Vegas, and carried the Wildcats alongside Anthony Dell’Orso with near 20-point double-doubles in a pair of crucial wins over No. 23 BYU and at No. 2 Houston while Arizona was short-handed without Koa Peat and Dwayne Aristode.
But as valuable as Kharchenkov’s play was for Tommy Lloyd and Arizona a year ago, it’s the energy, hustle, and passion he brought night in and night out that make his return to Tucson that much more important.
“It’s just a really valuable role for us and Ivan is really growing into it,” said Lloyd following Arizona’s win at McKale over No. 20 Auburn, a game in which Kharchenkov finished with 12 points, five rebounds, eight assists, a block, and three steals.
Not only was he always the guy diving on the floor for loose balls or poking the ball away for steal, he was also the guy hyping up the crowd after every big bucket, defensive stop, and opposing team’s timeout. He was the guy laying his body on the line, ramping up the physicality and intensity when games got close. And he was the guy celebrating with everyone after each big win, from the fans, to the student section, to the Pride of Arizona Pep Band.
That balance of physicality and hustle on the court, coupled with pride and passion on the sidelines, truly makes him a glue guy, and arguably, the most impactful glue guy in program history.
“When you have somebody who you can put on another team’s leading scorer or best player, who can give you multiple looks on defense – those are really valuable things. And then offensively, if those guys just have some play-making ability, which Ivan has and is really starting to show, it just really connects your offense and makes it so much easier. It takes so much pressure off your point guard’s hands.”
With Ivan Kharchenkov and Motiejus Krivas both returning to Arizona, alongside five-star freshman Caleb Holt and North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon, the Wildcats will be one of the nation’s top teams heading into next season. Already a fan favorite, Kharchenkov will be tasked with being a vocal leader, as well as a leader on the court with his play on both ends, something he’s already proved he’s more than capable of doing. If he can elevate his play, while keeping his passion and energy even higher than that, Kharchenkov will be an invaluable part of a potential return to the Final Four in 2027.