You give an NBA player the Santa Claus outfit and you know with a little help of making that physical appearance more realistic, you know many guys could pull of the feat. At first thought, you know a Shaq could give the performance of a life anywhere with his personality and already does through his giving as his foundation provides toys, cloths and food to kids in the states. Other guys come through in need on the court like Steph Curry and Nikola. I mean a Curry always comes through in the clutch with big shots and Jokic alone could provide for any one simply with all the assists he makes. I´m sure they could also pass beautifully for Santa Claus as well. It´s that time of year again where Christmas plays center stage around the world. Just in the United States the 2023 sales revue is projected at 957 billion which just shows the love everyone gives to make the holiday as enjoyable for everyone. In Germany the Christmas holiday is very traditional but in the last 20 years has grown in terms of bringing over the commercial flair from the United States. Just alone from the house decorations and lightening has definitely made Germany a lot brighter in comparison to just 20 years ago. One thing I miss the most as being an American living in Germany since 20 plus years is being able to meet Santa Claus in any mall. In the United States meeting Santa Claus in any mall around X-mas is as probable as seeing the famous and loved German Plätzchen (cookies) on tables in German households. I bet if you asked Americans overseas, a majority would put on the suit to play Santa Claus, but what about German players? Would an Ivan Khartchenkov want to entertain the kids as Saint Nick? “Of course I could imagine doing it. It would be fun. I would ask the kids if they had been good this year and what would you like to have for Christmas. I would love to wear a costume and beard”, smiled Ivan Khartchenkov. It didn´t take him long to name the perfect Santa Claus from his teammates. I would have predicted Serge Ibaka. Kharchenov released a big laugh when hearing the question. No no not Ibaka. Devin Booker would be perfect. He is a good guy and knows how to talk with kids. He is really soft spoken and just makes you feel very comfortable”, added Ivan Kharchenkov (198-SG-2006).

I reach Ivan Kharchenkov whose toughest Euroleague opponent this season has been Keenan Evans is 17 years old and living the German basketball dream playing his third season with FC Bayern Munich on Saturday at noon after FC Bayern Munich´s last practice before a one day break for X-mas. Does he become more proud each day to be able to wear the famous FC Bayern Munich jersey? “No not really. At the start it was new, but over the years you get to know more people and it becomes more normal, but of course I´m really proud to be able to play for this well known organization”, stated Ivan Khartchenkov. It hasn´t been the best season yet for FC Bayern as they are only in 4th place in the easyCredit at 7-3 and 12th in the Euroleague at 7-9 despite having maybe it´s best roster on paper ever. In the middle of all is Ivan Kharchekov who is battling every day to get minutes with the big boys. Despite being near the bottom of the totem pole, his expectations are still large. “Of course I want to play more. Coach Laslo told me from the beginning to always stay ready. If there is a situation where I can play then I will”, added Ivan Kharchenkov. So far he has played 3 Euroleague games showing his potential against Zalgiris and Olympiakos scoring 4 points a piece. He also remembers one Greek player being a real thorn in the side for his team. “I was impressed by Kostas Papanikolau. That guy shows his active and passive side in an instance. One moment he is in the corner being passive and in the next moment he is getting an offensive rebound”, expressed Ivan Kharchenkov. He also plays for Munich´s farm team and continues to make strides with them. He has been able to improve his scoring each season from 12 to 16 and currently is averaging 20,9ppg. It is quite an achievement to be that high in scoring when you have incredible other scoring options like other young German phenom Martin Kalu and 8 year ACB man Dino Radoncic. “I´m playing with even more confidence than the other years and I have BBL experience. I also feel like I have the ball more in my hands. My goal isn´t to be top scorer or to score more than Martin and Dino. I´m just playing my game. One game I may have 8 assists and in the next game 3 assists. I just take what the situation gives me. That makes it easier for me”, warned Ivan Khartchenkov. Last season he played 2 less minutes and his turnovers are still at 3. Limiting his turnovers is a big goal of his. “The problem with my turnovers is as follows. With the BBL team, I have to do less on the court and nobody knows me, but in the Pro B everyone knows me and the goal of the defense is to stop me. Changing roles so often is difficult. I have to learn to read the situation better”, stressed Ivan Kharchenkov. His goals as a player are logical and straight forward. “I want to keep training hard and improving”, warned Ivan Kharchekov.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and a part of the big Kharchenkov family in Frankfurt in 2023

Basketball is obviously a massive part of Ivan Kharchenkov´s life, but now during the holiday time in 2023 there is always time to reflect on Christmas. It is no surprise that Christmas and family is high on Kharchenkov´s list. “Family is very important for me. I´m extremely happy to be able to spend time with my family. The support I get from my family is incredible. Sometimes I will be away for a few days for Euroleague which is difficult. It is a great feeling knowing that when I come home somebody will be there for me no matter what happens. I dón´t celebrate Christmas so much. I´m more of a new years guy. Christmas for me is giving and getting and nothing more”, explained Ivan Kharchekov. It didn´t take the 3 level scorer long to name his earliest X-mas memory which was when he was 12. “I remember my brother giving me Kobe 11´s for X-mas. That was such a cool moment. I remember putting them on and using them for the rest of the season”, said Ivan Kharchenkov. Basketball has been such a big part of his life, but he does remember very early in his life when he wasn´t only playing with a basketball. “I remember my favorite toy as a kid being little model cars. I would love to play park the car in the garage”, remembered Ivan Kharchenkov. It also didn´t take him long to come up with the perfect 2023 X-mas gift for himself. “The newest shoes are always nice. I would love to get the Kobe 6 Proto reverse Grinch. Unfortunately I couldn´t wear them on the court because we have to wear Addidas”, commented Ivan Kharchenkov. Everybody has a new year´s resolution and it isn´t any different for him. It has been the same the last 3 years. “My goal is to reach the Pro B playoffs, reach the NBBL Top 4 and get chances with the BBL team. It hasn´t changed”, added Ivan Kharchenkov. He is looking forward to that special family time on New Year´s eve and strolling into 2024 with family. “New year´s eve is special in the Kharchenkov family. My mom cooks Russian food and then we watch Russian TV. New Year happens 2 hours earlier in Russia. We eat together and watch Russia go into the new year and then go to sleep”, said Ivan Kharchenkov. Does his environment get noisy with the obligatory fireworks? No it doesn´t. I liked it in the past, but no more. I´m not a fan of that anymore”, stated Ivan Kharchenkov. Merry Christmas and happy new year Ivan.