Pair of Ukrainian basketball players find home with the Pronghorns in Lethbridge
Plenty of athletes travel far from home in order to play the sport they love.
That’s certainly the case for a pair of basketball players who came to Lethbridge with the hope of playing for the Pronghorns.
But for them, it was less of a choice.
Viktoriia Kovalevska and Vlada Hozalova fled Ukraine to escape the ongoing war there.
But they still wanted to play basketball.
“We just sent our email to our coach, Dave, before we moved here and just asked him, ‘Hey, what do you think? Like, can we join or just practise with you guys?’ And he was like, ‘Yes of course,’” Kovalevska said.
Viktoriia Kovalevska
When the pair reached out to the university’s head women’s basketball coach, Dave Waknuk jumped at the chance to add players of their calibre.
“I just saw a chance to add players who had an international pedigree, had the international background and history that they had, and reached out right away,” Waknuk said.
Both Kovalevska and Hozalova bring a wealth of experience to the Pronghorns.
The duo both played on the Ukrainian U20 national team and played professionally in the Ukrainian Women’s Superleague.
Waknuk has nothing but praise for the pair.
“Their best attribute is their basketball IQ. Both of them played at a high level and you can tell that with the decisions they make on the court,” he said.
“I think to bring in anyone who has experience at the highest level always helps your team.”
Vlada Hozalova
But while she’s trying to stay focused on the year ahead, Kovalevska admits it’s hard not to think about what’s happening in Ukraine.
She still has family there.
“Every day, Russia has bombed our country. And you never know and can't predict where or what city will be the next,” Kovalevska said.
While they’re still concerned for their country and family members, Kovalevska and Hozalova are not just looking forward to playing but also to their time at school.
Kovalevska will study education. Hozalova will study physical education.
As student athletes, they know that school comes first.
“Of course I'm excited. I want firstly to study well, because if I fail my exam I will not be allowed to play,” Kovalevska said.
The Pronghorns will open their season at home on Nov. 4 as they welcome the University of Victoria Vikes to town.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.