Ukrainian basketball player Maksym Shulga played his debut match as part of Real Madrid. Already in the first preseason game, the 24-year-old guard started in the opening five and made a notable contribution to the "Royal Club's" emphatic victory. This is reported by Sport RBC.UA, citing the Madrid club's press service. For a player who has been through the NBA and only recently debuted for the national team, such a start at one of Europe's most decorated clubs became an important career milestone.
Debut in the Starting Five
In the first sparring game of the preseason preparation, Real Madrid defeated Baskonia with a score of 121:80. Maksym Shulga began the match in the starting lineup and spent 18 minutes and 21 seconds on the court. Starting in the opening five in the very first control match is a sign of the coaching staff's trust, especially considering that Real Madrid is the reigning Spanish champion and the finalist of last season's EuroLeague. For a newcomer, to immediately make the core lineup against experienced teammates is a rare and notable signal.
Numbers from the First Match
During his time on the court, the guard scored 15 points, hitting 2 of 2 two-pointers, 2 of 3 three-pointers, and 5 of 6 free throws. In addition to points, the Ukrainian dished out 5 assists, grabbed 2 rebounds, and recorded 4 steals with 2 turnovers and 1 foul, finishing the game with a final efficiency rating of "+24." In terms of points scored, Maksym became the second-highest scorer for the Madrid side behind Facundo Campazzo, which underscores his role in the offense right from the first sparring match.
Contract and Background
The Ukrainian basketball player signed a two-year contract with the Madrid club — through the end of the 2027/28 season. The previous 2025/26 season, Shulga spent in the NBA, playing for the Boston Celtics, with whom he appeared in 11 regular-season games and two playoff matches. In the summer, the player also debuted for the Ukrainian national team in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, where the national team, as noted earlier, made a leap in the FIBA ranking after a series of resounding victories.
What's Next for Real Madrid
The first official match of the new season, the Madrid side will play on September 24 in the EuroLeague against the Dubai club. Thus, Shulga has a window of a few weeks to fully establish himself in the lineup before the start of the regular tournament games. The debut sparring match against Baskonia became a convincing calling card for him, and the two-year contract confirms the club's long-term plans to integrate the Ukrainian guard into its rotation.
