Arizona and Ivan Kharchenkov announced the German/Russian forward has re-signed with UA on Tuesday, officially confirming his return to the Wildcats for next season.
Kharchenkov and center Motiejus Krivas, whose re-signing was announced Monday, also will not test the NBA Draft as guard Jaden Bradley did before last season. Neither Kharchenkov nor Krivas was listed on the NBA’s official early entry list that was released Monday, ensuring the Wildcats will have two returning starters next season.
Tucson is in good hands.Ivan Kharchenkov is back. pic.twitter.com/sstN7keRP2
— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaMBB) April 28, 2026
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After playing a backup role for Bayern Munich in 2024-25, Kharchenkov quickly drew NBA attention as a freshman starter at Arizona in 2025-26. He collected a double-double in his first college game against Florida, with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and a week later was listed at No. 52 on ESPN’s “big board” of NBA prospects.
In March, with Krivas, guard Brayden Burries and forward Koa Peat having attracted most of the NBA Draft buzz, Quinn Fishburne of No Ceilings NBA called Kharchenkov “one of college basketball’s most undervalued prospects for the 2026 NBA Draft," saying his combination of size, cognition, defense and production should not be overlooked.
Kharchenkov wound up averaging 10.4 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 49.2% overall and 31.7% from 3-point range and becoming known for his excitable on-court personality. As a sophomore in 2026-27, Kharchenkov is expected to carry a bigger offensive load next season while again defending opponents’ top scorers.
Arizona forward Ivan Kharchenkov (8) gestures to the crowd as heads back on defense after nailing a three on BYU in the second half of their Big 12 game, February 18, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Kharchenkov shifted into a more featured offensive role in late February, when the Wildcats had a shorthanded frontcourt for four games, averaging 13.8 points and 6.5 rebounds against Texas Tech, BYU, Houston and Baylor.
While Kharchenkov played power forward at times in 2025-26, he is expected to start again at small forward on a perimeter with five-star freshman Caleb Holt at shooting guard and either Derek Dixon or JJ Mandaquit at point guard. Four-star wing forward Cameron Holmes is expected to play a key reserve role.
Arizona has eight scholarship players lined up for 2026-27 as of now but still has a hole to fill at power forward, where Tobe Awaka and Koa Peat played last season. Peat declared for the NBA Draft while Awaka is out of eligibility under current rules limiting players to four seasons.
UA also returns long-term prospects Bryce James at guard and Mabil Mawut at forward..
Arizona's tentative 2026-27 roster
G Derek Dixon | 6-5 | 200 | sophomore | Vienna, Va.
F Cameron Holmes | 6-6 | 205 | freshman | Goodyear
G Caleb Holt | 6-5 | 200 | freshman | New Market, Alabama
G Bryce James | 6-5 | 185 | R-freshman | Akron, Ohio
F Ivan Kharchenkov | 6-7 | 230 | sophomore | Munich, Germany
C Motiejus Krivas | 7-2 | 260 | senior | Siauliai, Lithuania
G JJ Mandaquit | 6-1 | 201 | sophomore | Hilo, Hawaii
F Mabil Mawut | 6-11 | 200 | R-freshman | Bor Town, South Sudan
Departures
F Dwayne Aristode | 6-8 | 215 | (in transfer portal)
F Tobe Awaka | 6-9 | 250 (out of eligibility)
G Jaden Bradley | 6-3 | 205 (out of eligibility)
G Brayden Burries | 6-4 | 190 (declared for NBA Draft)
F Anthony Dell’Orso | 6-6 | 190 (out of eligibility)
F Sidi Gueye | 6-11 | 215 | (transferring to Santa Clara)
G Evan Nelson | 6-2 | 170 (out of eligibility)
F Koa Peat | 6-8 | 235 (declared for NBA Draft)
