The capital's Kiev-Basket continues its active roster build-up ahead of the start of the new Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague season. The silver medalist of the national championship has strengthened its backcourt by signing a contract with 26-year-old American import Deavion May. This is reported by Sport RBC.UA, citing the press service of the capital's club. The signing is a notable step in shaping a roster that the Kyiv-based team is assembling with an emphasis on the American style of play.
Player profile and path to Europe
Deavion May plays the guard position and, according to Kiev-Basket's press service, is beginning his professional career in Europe precisely with the Kyiv club. In 2023, the basketball player completed his studies at Sam Houston State University, after which he moved to the American TBL league, where he played for the Kokomo Bobcats. Thus, the Kyiv team is acquiring a player with a collegiate background and experience playing in a professional American league, which aligns with the club's strategy of strengthening its backcourt.
Statistics in the TBL league
Last season with the Kokomo Bobcats, May played in 24 matches, posting solid all-around numbers for a guard. Averaging 27.2 minutes on the court, the player recorded 11.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Such a set of figures indicates a player capable of solving tasks not only in offense but also in defense, including active work on the boards and intercepting the ball, which is especially valuable for team defense.
American roster and Ukrainian signings
May has become the third American import in the Kyiv team's roster for the upcoming 2026/27 season. Earlier, Kiev-Basket announced the arrivals of two more representatives of the American school of basketball — guard Cam Clardy and center Eddie Hunt. In parallel, the capital's club signed several Ukrainian players, including Ilya Kabachura, Andrii Butko, Nazar Kholod, Danylo Pyrohov, Danylo Markov and Mariian Rudyi. It was separately noted that one of the centers of the Ukrainian national team found a new club in Spain, which reflects the overall turnover of personnel in Ukrainian basketball.
Contradictory data
Open sources contain discrepancies in assessing the newcomer's European experience. Kiev-Basket's press service (citing Sport RBC.UA) explicitly states that May is beginning his professional career in Europe precisely in Kyiv, meaning he has not previously played in European leagues. At the same time, the headline of a sport.ua article describes him as an import "with experience playing in the SuperLeague," which contradicts the club's version that this is the player's first European club. Moreover, in the club's official graphic banner the player's name is written as "Deavion May," whereas in the textual messages the transliteration "Deavian May" is used. Until the club provides an official clarification, both versions regarding experience and the exact spelling of the name should be considered not fully consistent.
Context of season preparation
May's signing fits the overall logic of Kiev-Basket's strengthening ahead of the start of the 2026/27 season: the club, being the silver medalist of the championship, is betting on a combination of American imports and Ukrainian players. At the same time, the newcomer's actual readiness for SuperLeague matches and his integration into the team's system will only become clear after the start of the regular championship and the first joint training sessions with the main squad.
