According to BK-CENTRE President Boris Karebin, who was the visionary and architect behind this project, Tatyana’s move to the United States became possible thanks to the joint efforts of many people. He expressed his gratitude to Nathan Avenhofen, CEO of ABBA Group Gio, and Yevgeny Babaytsev, Tatyana’s first coach, whose cooperation and commitment helped make this opportunity a reality.
Eighteen-year-old Tatyana Evko from Temirtau, who recently graduated from high school in Magnitogorsk, has taken the first step in her American basketball journey. After playing for junior basketball clubs in Magnitogorsk and Orenburg, she completed her first practice with the women’s basketball team at New Mexico Junior College.
According to Head Coach Austin Mefford, the first practice went very well. He explained that the team’s primary focus during the first week is helping newcomers adjust to their new environment. With players arriving from different countries, they need time to adapt to the climate, living conditions, food, academic life, and the intensity of college basketball practices. Once the acclimatization period is over, the team will gradually increase the training load.
Tatyana was also pleased with her first day on the court.
“The practice was very intense, and the workload is definitely demanding. But this is exactly what I expected. I’m very happy to be here, I already love everything about this place, and it’s a completely different level of basketball,” Tatyana said after practice.
A new chapter has now begun for the young player. The next few weeks will be dedicated to adapting to a new basketball system, building chemistry with her coaches and teammates, and continuing her development.
We wish Tatyana, the coaching staff, and the entire New Mexico Junior College team a successful season. We hope she quickly settles into the team, builds strong relationships with her coaches and teammates, showcases her talent, and takes another important step toward a successful basketball career.
Perhaps today marks the beginning of the journey of another rising star in European basketball.
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