After helping Bayern Munich win the German league title, incoming Arizona freshman was given a formal goodbye from his club Tuesday while Arizona confirmed his signing.
鈥淎 New Chapter For FCBB (FC Bayern Basketball) Talent Kharchenkov,鈥 headlined , which noted that 鈥渢he 18-year-old guard is heading to the U.S. for at least one year to play college basketball.鈥
Kharchenkov joined the Bayern organization at age 12 and played for each youth level, and became the youngest player ever to join the senior team at age 16 in November 2022.
He led Bayern鈥檚 second team in scoring (22.5 ppg) in 2023-24 and then was a part of the senior club鈥檚 rotation in 2024-25. The club noted that in Game 4 of the playoff finals against Ulm, Kharchenkov 鈥渕ade a key impact in turning the series around, contributing seven points and high energy off the bench.鈥
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The club said it was 鈥渁lready looking forward to seeing him again one day,鈥 while Kharchenkov said it was a difficult decision to leave the home where he grew up.

German wing Ivan Kharchenkov is leaving his German pro club to play for Arizona next season.
鈥淚 always felt truly valued on my journey all the way into the pro team,鈥 Kharchenkov said. 鈥淚 want to thank everyone who supported me along the way 鈥 starting with the coaches, the assistants, individual and athletic trainers, and of course, the physios and doctors.
鈥淚 also want to thank everyone in the office and on the campus. And last but not least, my teammates and especially the fans 鈥 you鈥檝e all become family to me. That鈥檚 why I know I鈥檒l always be able to come back here 鈥 because this is my family, the Bayern family.鈥
Bayern did not mention Arizona by name but Eurohopes reported a month ago that he would be joining the Wildcats and Arizona officially later Tuesday. Kharchenkov鈥檚 move was not expected to be official until Bayern Munich鈥檚 season ended.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 up Wildcat nation?鈥 Kharchenkov said in a video UA posted to social media. 鈥淐an鈥檛 wait to get to 大象APPand start working. Bear down.鈥