The son of the legendary Ukrainian boxer turned politician Vitali Klitschko, Maxim will be in Division 1 next season and has chosen the East Carolina Pirates as his landing spot.
The 21 year-old big man enjoyed a break out season with AS Monaco U21s, putting up 14.9 points, 7.3 rebounds all while shooting an efficient 66.7% from the field.
Following a glittering career at the U20 level, Klitschko is already a full international for Ukraine.
His impressive form in the Espoirs league has even earned the big man a sparing role for AS Monaco’s first team where he has played 5 games averaging 2.2 points.
Monaco’s Ukrainian basketball player Maxim Klitschko (C), son of Ukrainian boxer and mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko, dunks the ball during a training session of AS Monaco under 21 team at the Gaston-Medecin arena in Monaco, on April 14, 2026. (Photo by Frederic DIDES / AFP via Getty Images)
No Stranger to the United States, Klitschko spent part of his high school education with the Taft School in Connecticut until he returned to Europe in 2024 to begin with the youth teams of AS Monaco.
With elite size and an impressive skillset, Klitschko was highly sought after reportedly by the likes of Ole Miss and USC.
Can Klitschko deliver the ‘Hammer Blow’ to the AAC?
Klitschko will be immediately eligible for the upcoming 2026-27 season with East Carolina.
As his birthday is April 1, 2005, if the NCAA passes the age-based rule of five years after an athlete turns 19, it could limit his potential availability in college to a few years but the Pirates will cross that tricky bridge when it comes to it.
It’s safe to say that Mike Schwartz has secured one of the most intriguing international prospects available as he looks to rebuild his roster ahead of the 2026-27 season.