Grigorij Khizhnyak

Grigorij Khizhnyak (alternate spelling: Grygorii Khizhniak, Ukrainian: Григорій Хижняк; July 16, 1974 – October 5, 2018) was a Ukrainian professional basketball player.[1] Standing at a height of 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m), he played at the center position. He was the EuroLeague's leader in blocked shots in two consecutive seasons, in 2000–01 and 2001–02.

Grigorij Khizhnyak
Personal information
Born(1974-07-16)July 16, 1974
Mykolaiv, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
DiedOctober 5, 2018(2018-10-05) (aged 44)
NationalityUkrainian
Listed height7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
Listed weight260 lb (118 kg)
Career information
Playing career1994–2010
PositionCenter
Career history
1994–1995Mykolaiv
1995–1998Budivelnyk
1998–1999Avtodor Saratov
1999–2000Kyiv
2000–2001Žalgiris Kaunas
2001Shabab Al Ahli
2001–2002Žalgiris Kaunas
2002Kyiv
2003Pamesa Valencia
2003–2004Peristeri
2004–2005Makedonikos
2005–2006Dynamo St. Petersburg
2006Azovmash Mariupol
2006–2007Kyiv
2007–2009Dnipro
2009–2010Budivelnyk
Career highlights and awards

Professional career

Khizhnyak, who was a dominant defensive force in the paint, led the EuroLeague in blocks per game for two consecutive years (2001, 2002), while playing with the Lithuanian League club Žalgiris Kaunas. Among his greatest career achievements, was his participation in the ULEB Cup (EuroCup)'s 2005 Final, while he was a member of the Greek League club Makedonikos.

National team career

Khizhnyak was a regular member of the senior men's Ukrainian national basketball team. With Ukraine, he played at the 1997 EuroBasket, and the 2003 EuroBasket.

Death

Khizhnyak died of a heart attack on 5 October, 2018, at the age of 44.[2][3]

EuroLeague career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  PIR  Performance Index Rating
 Bold  Career high

Note: The EuroLeague is not the only competition in which the player participated for the team during the season. He also played in domestic competition, and regional competition if applicable.

Led the league
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2000–01 Žalgiris Kaunas 121229.8.539.000.8407.2.8.73.212.118.8
2001–02 141432.2.508.333.8888.11.4.93.214.421.6
Career 262631.1.520.167.8657.71.2.83.213.320.3

References
  1. "Помер знаменитий український баскетболіст Григорій Хижняк". ukr.segodnya.ua (in Ukrainian). October 5, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  2. Euroleague Basketball mourns Khizhnyak.
  3. Grigorij Khizhnyak passed away at age 44.
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