Last Updated on September 7, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake

Here’s information about Vitaly Potapenko:

  • Full Name: Vitaly Nikolaevich Potapenko
  • Nationality: Ukrainian
  • Age: Born March 21, 1975
  • Hometown: Kiev (now Kyiv), Ukraine
  • Height: 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m)
  • Weight: 280 pounds (127 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 11 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 17 (US)
  • Number: 52, 20, 12 (wore different numbers throughout his NBA career)
  • Position: Power Forward / Center
  • High School: Grew up and played in Ukraine; did not attend high school in the U.S.
  • College: Wright State University (1994–1996)
  • NBA Draft: Selected 12th overall in the 1st round of the 1996 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Teams Played For:
    1. Cleveland Cavaliers (1996–1999)
    2. Boston Celtics (1999–2002)
    3. Seattle SuperSonics (2002–2005)
    4. Sacramento Kings (2005–2007)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: Not publicly available
  • Siblings: Not much is publicly known about his siblings

Fun Facts

After his playing career, Potapenko transitioned into coaching and has served as an assistant coach for several NBA teams, including the Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers. His strong, physical presence as a player earned him the nickname “The Ukraine Train.”