Author: Boris Karebin

Kyrylo committed to Lake Erie College men’s basketball competes in NCAA Division II and plays in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC).The Lake Erie Storm athletic programs (located in Painesville, Ohio) have been members of the G-MAC

Men’s Basketball Program Set to Play in Hoops in Hawaii Tip-Off Classic in 2026-27.

Kyrill Kapinos is a highly versatile all-around player who can successfully play multiple positions, from shooting guard to power forward. His mobility, basketball IQ, and ability to contribute in different areas of the game make him a valuable asset to any team. Before committing to the NCAA, Kyrill gained valuable experience competing at the junior college level in the United States.

“Kyrill and his father have been connected with us for many years,” said BK-CENTRE President Boris Karebin. “After being forced to leave Ukraine, Kyrill continued his basketball development with a youth team in Germany before moving to the United States to pursue his academic and athletic goals. We are very proud of his achievements and excited to see him continue his journey at the NCAA level.”

BK-CENTRE would also like to extend its sincere gratitude to Nate Altenhofen for his tremendous support and assistance throughout the recruiting process. His efforts played an important role in helping Kyrill find the right NCAA program and continue his development as a student-athlete.

BK-CENTRE proudly presents rising Ukrainian basketball prospect Uliana Sinuakova, (born 2013, height 183 cm) who delivered an outstanding performance in the French Regional Championship U13 Final.

Currently playing for Lyon in France, Uliana continues to establish herself as one of the most promising young players in her age group. In the championship game, she dominated the court, finishing with 19 points and 16 rebounds while helping lead her team to victory.

Her impact was evident throughout the game. Uliana scored 19 of her team’s 49 total points and controlled the action on both ends of the floor with her rebounding, defensive presence, and overall basketball instincts.

Despite competing against this opponent several times throughout the season, Uliana’s team suffered just one defeat. They had previously beaten the same team twice during the championship season, highlighting their consistency and strength throughout the year.

In addition to her success in 5-on-5 basketball, Uliana recently won the French Regional 3×3 Championship, demonstrating her ability to excel in different formats of the game.

Her continued development has attracted the attention of coaches, scouts, and basketball organizations. A future opportunity with the Ukrainian National Team, in both 3×3 and 5-on-5 basketball, could be on the horizon.

Uliana is also beginning to attract interest from top basketball programs in the United States, including elite high school programs as well as colleges and universities that closely monitor international talent.

Since coming onto the radar of the BK-CENTRE International Scouting Department, Uliana has significantly increased her opportunities to pursue basketball at the highest levels in both the United States and Europe. BK-CENTRE continues to closely monitor her development and support her long-term basketball goals.

BK-CENTRE President Boris Karebin commented on her recent achievements:

“We are following Uliana’s progress very closely and are excited about her future. She continues to improve and demonstrate the qualities necessary to compete at a high level. BK-CENTRE will do everything possible to help her pursue opportunities with the Ukrainian National Team and with top basketball programs in both the United States and Europe.”

With her recent performances, championship success in both 5-on-5 and 3×3 basketball, and continued development, Uliana Sinuakova is establishing herself as one of the most promising young basketball prospects in her generation.

Young Lithuanian basketball prospect Lukas Beržinskas is continuing a remarkable family sporting tradition that has been closely connected to BK-CENTRE for generations.

Scouts from BK-CENTRE are highly interested in Lukas, a talented player from the youth system of BC Žalgiris. Born in 2010, Lukas is a member of the Class of 2029 and is already attracting attention from American college scouts thanks to his dedication, work ethic, and outstanding potential.

Lukas comes from a family with deep ties to BK-CENTRE and President Boris Karebin.

His father played for BK-CENTRE in the Kaunas Basketball League under the guidance of President Boris Karebin. His grandmother served for many years as the director of BK-CENTRE in Kaunas, helping to build and strengthen the club’s tradition and reputation.

Coach Boris Karebin also helped Lukas’s sister, Evelina Beržinskaitė, move to the United States and join the women’s basketball program at Miami Dade College, one of the strongest junior college basketball programs in the country.

Lukas began training at a very young age in the renowned Žalgiris Basketball Academy, one of the premier basketball development programs in Europe. Lithuania’s basketball schools have a legendary reputation for developing world-class players.

Among the great Lithuanian players produced by Kaunas basketball schools are Šarūnas Marčiulionis, Arvydas Sabonis, Žydrūnas Ilgauskas, and Valdemaras Chomičius. These academies have also developed numerous EuroLeague players, European champions, and members of the Lithuanian national team.

Today, Lukas is following a path already traveled by generations of outstanding Lithuanian basketball players.

We wish Lukas the very best and hope that, with the support of the coaches at the Žalgiris and Sabonis basketball schools and the guidance of BK-CENTRE, he will earn opportunities to play for college and university teams in the United States.

If everything goes according to plan, we hope to see Lukas one day representing Lithuania men’s national basketball team, competing in the EuroLeague, and perhaps even playing for the senior team of BC Žalgiris.

We sincerely hope that his dream becomes reality.

photo with Legendary Arvidas Sabonis;

To help young players and their families—especially international athletes from Europe and other countries—understand the complex structure of American college basketball, this series features insights from two highly experienced professionals.

Boris Karebin, President of BK-CENTRE, is a basketball coach with many years of NBA experience and an executive with extensive experience in international scouting and basketball operations.

Nate Altenhofen is the Chief Executive Officer of ABA LLC, an National Junior College Athletic Association Division I National Champion coach, and a longtime collegiate coach with extensive experience at major American universities, including Indiana University.

Together, they will answer the most important questions about the U.S. college basketball system and help families understand which pathway offers the best opportunities for each athlete.

Many parents assume that NCAA Division I players are dramatically better than Division II players. In reality, the difference is often much smaller than expected.

What Division I and Division II Players Have in Common

Players in both divisions may possess:

• Excellent shooting ability
• High basketball IQ
• Strong athleticism
• Advanced technical skills
• Competitive mentality
• Professional potential

What Usually Separates Division I from Division II

The main differences are often related to:

• Height and physical size
• Explosiveness and athletic upside
• Consistency under pressure
• Depth of talent across the roster

In many cases, Division II players are nearly identical in skill level to Division I players. The difference may be as small as:

• 2–3 cm in height for guards
• 2–5 cm in height for forwards
• Greater size and length among elite Division I centers and power forwards

Real-World Example

A player who is highly skilled but slightly undersized may be recruited by a strong Division II program rather than a Division I school. After proving himself, that same athlete may later transfer to Division I or continue on to a professional career in Europe or elsewhere.

Why Division II Should Not Be Overlooked

NCAA Division II offers:

• Outstanding coaching
• Excellent facilities
• Athletic scholarships
• High-level competition
• Transfer opportunities to Division I

Many successful professional players began their careers in Division II, NAIA, or junior college before reaching the highest levels.

Key Takeaway

NCAA Division I is the most visible and prestigious level of college basketball, but Division II remains an extremely competitive environment with tremendous opportunities.

For many athletes, the best path is not necessarily the most famous one—it is the program that matches their talent, physical profile, academic qualifications, and long-term goals.

Here are the conference rankings:

Top pic is top 3 levels:

Level1 Top 20 programs
Level2Power4-SEC,10,ACC,B12
Level3 – American, BEast, A10, IVY, Big West

Middle Pic is
Level 4 MID Majors

Bottom Pic is Low D1

Today, we are excited to introduce a new promising player from Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo — Win Tekenga.

Win is a highly athletic and mobile basketball player born 2010 standing 196 cm (6’5”) tall. He possesses outstanding physical tools, explosive jumping ability, and tremendous potential for future development. It is already clear that he is a player with serious ambitions and a strong desire to succeed.

As you can see, young athletes around the world train under very different conditions. But they are all united by one common dream — to play basketball at the highest level.

We strongly believe that Win will earn an opportunity to play in the American college basketball system and prove to the world that he has what it takes to become a great player.

The scouting service of BK-CENTRE closely monitors talented athletes from all over the world. Information about promising players is immediately shared with coaches at colleges and universities within National Collegiate Athletic Association.

If there are talented children and promising basketball players around you, contact us. Send us:

• Game and training videos
• Player names and contact information
• A brief summary of achievements and experience

Our mission is to help young talents reach top universities and, eventually, the National Basketball Association and professional clubs in Europe.

Contact us at: [email protected]

The scouting service of BK-CENTRE never sleeps. We work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — 24/7.