Back in Soviet times, at the peak of the coaching career of Alexander Gomelsky, there was talk in world basketball about how to limit the growth of players. It was difficult to resist such giants as Sabonis, Krumins. The great coach was among those who prevented such a position, speaking about the inhumane attitude towards Gullivers who have the opportunity to realize themselves in sports. It is hard to imagine who Pavel Podkolzin could become in life, whose height is 226 cm, if such a decision were made.
First steps in sports
In January 1985, a boy was born in an ordinary Novosibirsk family, who stands out among his peers in that he was ahead of everyone in physical development since kindergarten age. Parents far from sports, growth was quite normal: mother - 175 cm, and father - 178 cm. The family has a daughter Olga, who did not inherit the genes of her great-grandfather. He was more than two meters, which was transmitted along the male line to her brother. Pavel Podkolzin met basketball in the fifth grade, but preferred volleyball to him. For two years, success in this sport did not follow, because an impressive build was added to the growth (today's weight of the athlete is 125 kg).
Then the teenager again thought about basketball and he himself sought out a well-known coach in Novosibirsk - Vitaly Utkin. To keep up with the training, Pavel got up at about six in the morning, because the family lived in the village of Pashino, and had to travel to the regional capital by rail. At 15, Novosibirsk Lokomotiv, the first professional club in his life, had already signed a contract with him. But occupied with a tournament position, he did not provide the opportunity for young players to prove themselves, so in 2002 the guy left for Italy.
NBA Draft
Playing for the Italian club Varese, Pavel Podkolzin dreamed of an overseas league. Thanks to the agents, he first put forward his candidacy for a draft in the NBA in 2003. In the summer camp he was given the nickname Siberian Shakila, but not a single club was interested in the newcomer. In 2004, a nineteen-year-old athlete again stormed the basketball association and was numbered 21 in the first round by the Utah Jazz team. The purpose of the acquisition is a sale at Dallas Mavericks. It is with this team that the athlete will conclude a three-year contract worth $ 1 million 800 thousand.
The game debut, meanwhile, took place only eight months later. This was due to obtaining a visa and surgery to remove the pituitary gland. A survey in Chicago showed that a guy with growth of 226 cm continued to secrete growth hormone, which required surgical intervention.
Career Overseas
Pavel Podkolzin is a basketball player who pulled out a lucky ticket at the very beginning of the journey . His dreams of a transatlantic league, a superclass team that fought in 2006 for victory in the NBA tournament, came true. But only he himself in the final match was sitting on the bench, experiencing serious emotions, but not having the ability to somehow influence the outcome of the match. In the shadow of the players playing in the fifth position - Bradley, Mbeng and Dampier, the main center - he rarely had to go to the site. Despite this, in no interview did he complain about fate, considering the time spent in the NBA to be happy. And the lost match, which cost Dallas the loss of victory, is the biggest personal failure.
Across the ocean, he happened to get acquainted with the legend of basketball Michael Jordan, gain experience in communicating with outstanding coaches, and master dozens of interesting combinations played on the field. But the lack of playing practice forced the athlete to return home after two years.
Inhospitable Russia
The first game season, Pavel Podkolzin began in Khimki on the site of Denis Ershov, but could not gain a foothold in the first team and moved to his native Lokomotiv. Fans reproached the athlete for not wanting to work, but the Siberian giant was tired of explaining about the numerous injuries that affect any, especially so tall basketball player. Ankle problems are a constant history of center players. In 2010, the club did not renew the contract with Podkolzin, and he was forced to look for a team where he would be in demand. Cities changed: Nizhny Novgorod, Magnitogorsk, Barnaul. He slipped to the second division, being considered the most mysterious player whose career rolled down.
In fact, the athlete simply loved basketball, this best ball game, and was ready to help any team in search of playing time.
Finest hour
Returning in 2014 to his native Novosibirsk, Pavel Podkolzin began to speak for the eponymous BC created in 2011. The first season was so successful that the athlete received an invitation to the national team instead of a sick player. He recovered and returned to duty, but this did not bring disappointment. The main thing is that the native team won first place in the Super League championship and became the owner of the Russian Cup.
At the age of thirty, deservedly received his main award and Pavel Podkolzin, whose photo as a part of the team (in the middle) - eloquently testifies to the division of common jubilation: “We did it!” Winning the Russian Cup is a great honor. This is the second most important tournament in the country, and its peculiarity is the absence of foreign legionnaires in the composition of the teams. It is in such games that the talent of Russian athletes is manifested.
Personal life
The basketball player is still in service, playing for the hometown team. In an interview, he answers the questions of curious journalists about the difficult life of giants: 52nd size shoes and clothes have to be purchased in the USA, an apartment and a car have to be “customized” to fit your height, you can go into the elevator, huddled in three perishing places, and still constantly respond to requests to make joint photo. The athlete does not like to talk about his personal life, protecting the family from publicity. It is known that he is married, two children are brought up in the family who do not have growth hormone problems.
Podkolzin Pavel Nikolaevich - one of the most colorful athletes of our time, the center of the skies, who has been engaged in his whole life truly beloved business.