JAKARTA - Former LA Lakers player Slava Medvedenko has sold two NBA championship rings to raise money for his native Ukraine.
The 43-year-old won it in 2001 and 2002 playing alongside Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal.
The goal now is to support Ukrainian children by restoring sports infrastructure in the war-torn country's schools and launching a network of social sports clubs.
It is estimated that the two rings will generate around $100.000.
“We wanted to rebuild the hall because the Russian army bombed more than 100 schools. Our country needs a lot of money to repair schools. The sports fitness center will be the last to be repaired. In Ukraine, during winter, children need to play indoors," the former player was quoted as saying by Marca, Wednesday.
Medvedenko said he decided to sell the ring after climbing the roof of one of the tallest buildings in his neighborhood and seeing rockets fired by Russian troops streaking across the night sky.
"At that point I just decided, 'Why do I need this ring if it's only in my safe?' I realized that I could die and I thought I had to sell it to show leadership, to help my people live better lives and to help children."
He has also helped by organizing charity basketball games to raise money for Ukrainian refugees crossing the border to escape the war.
Today, Medvedenko has reunited with his entire family after at the start of the war he sent his two daughters - aged 16 and 11 - and his 10-year-old son to Poland.
"Sometimes (there are) three or four (rocket attacks) in a day, but the kids are used to it. They play in our backyard. They don't even stop playing, they're used to it," he said.
Medvedenko himself had served in Ukraine's territorial defense forces during the war.
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“We defend our neighborhood, conduct checkpoints and service patrols. I'm not the best soldier, I'm not the best shooter, but I can support them," explained the former player who was seen armed with an AK-47.
"I shot a few times, but not at people. I'm glad I didn't get a chance to shoot someone," he admits.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have sent sports equipment to Ukraine and Medvedenko said that "the Lakers family has always helped me. They are always in my heart."
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