Ukrainian basketball player Dmytro Skapyntsev has signed a contract with the club "Lema Coruña," competing in the elite division of the Spanish championship. The agreement is for one season. The 28-year-old center became one of the team's first summer acquisitions.
Lema Coruña's return to the elite
Skapyntsev's new team returned to the top Spanish division after a one-year break. In the 2024/25 season, the club left the LEB Oro (ACB League), but in the next Primera FEB tournament, they showed powerful play: they took second place in the regular season and made it to the playoffs final. In a tense match against "Estudiantes," "Lema Coruña" won in overtime with a score of 100:97 and earned a ticket to the elite.
What Skapyntsev will bring to the team
According to the club's management, the Ukrainian big man will strengthen the defense thanks to his size and ability to play under the basket. Skapyntsev is characterized as an effective player in pick-and-roll schemes. Despite his height, he moves well and has a shot from mid-range and long distance.
The path to Spain
Last season, Dmytro played for the Israeli "Hapoel" from Jerusalem, where he became the country's champion. In the EuroCup, his average statistics were 5.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game. After the end of the season, the Israelis did not activate the contract extension option, and the center received free agent status.
Skapyntsev's career
During his career, Skapyntsev has played for "Cherkasy Monkeys" and "Kyiv-Basket" in Ukraine. Abroad, he defended the colors of the Lithuanian "Pieno Žvaigždės," as well as played for "Westchester Knicks," "Maine Celtics," and "Rio Grande Valley Vipers" in the NBA G-League. Moreover, he made his debut for the main team of the "New York Knicks" in the NBA.
Previously, it was reported that Madrid's "Real" announced the termination of the contract with another Ukrainian. And a new participant appeared in the Ukrainian Basketball Superleague.
