Wildcats C Natyazhko to leave school, play professionally

Kyryl Natyazhko has decided to leave the University of
Arizona to pursue a professional career in Europe.

According to a release by the school,
Natyazhko has yet to sign with a club, but will sign
with an agent.

“I’d like to thank the fans, my teammates and the coaching
staff at Arizona,” said Natyazhko. “It has been a
wonderful experience for me to study and play here. I
appreciate the efforts of everyone who helped me develop
as a person and as a player. As hard as it is for me to
leave, at this time I have to do what is best for me and
my family and pursue these professional opportunities, but
I plan on earning my degree in the near future. ”

Natyazhko came to Arizona as a freshman in 2009 as part of
Sean Miller’s first recruiting class, and while he was
highly rated, never panned out for the Wildcats.

The 6-foot-11, 265 pound center averaged 1.7 points and
2.0 rebounds in his three-year career in Tucson, failing
to make much of an impact on the floor.

“All of us at Arizona support Kyryl’s desire to begin his
professional career,” said Miller. “As a part of our
program for three years, Kyryl represented himself as a
great teammate, a hard worker and a good student off the
court. We wish him well in his professional career.”

Natyazhko is the second player to leave Arizona this off-
season, following point guard Josiah Turner, who elected
to transfer.

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