Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Slava Medvedenko won two championships during his six-year stint with the team.
Medvedenko recently auctioned off both of those championship rings. The rings fetched a pretty nice price, and all of the proceeds will benefit Ukraine relief efforts.
Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Slava Medvedenko’s two championship rings just sold for a combined $253,534 for charity. Medvedenko’s 2001 ring sold for $126,767 and his 2002 ring sold for $126,767 with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Ukraine relief efforts. pic.twitter.com/l6HrIEVne1
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) August 6, 2022
As some Lakers fans likely already know, Medvedenko is a Ukrainian national. He was born in 1979 in what was formerly the Soviet Union, but he clearly feels a strong sense of pride for the sovereign Ukrainian nation.
Prior to starting his career in the NBA, he played for a couple of Ukrainian teams.
During his time with the Lakers, Medvedenko was always a solid rotational player. He typically came off the bench for the Lakers, but he still served an important role for the team.
In his six seasons with the team, he averaged 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds in 13.1 minutes per game. He also played one season for the Atlanta Hawks.
Without a doubt, the world has rallied around Ukraine and its citizens since the Russian invasion of the country began earlier this year. The United States government has donated billions of dollars to try to help support the country.
Medvedenko’s hefty donation might not make a massive impact on the war effort, but it will surely go to good use.
Though he may be a bit sad about having to give up his two NBA championship rings in order to get the money, Medvedenko clearly feels that this is the best use for the value that they hold.
