NBA Comparison:

Strengths: Shulga stands at 6’5″ with a 6’6″ wingspan and a sturdily built 205 lb frame … His frame allows him to battle in the paint, absorb contact, and finish through bodies near the rim … A natural catch‑and‑shoot specialist, he shoots above 40% from three on decent volume … His release is compact, quick off the catch, and he moves intelligently without the ball to find open looks … His pull‑up jumper is respectable in the mid‑range, creeping toward consistency … Handles competently with either hand for a combo guard, using crosses and body feints to create space… An unselfish playmaker, averaging 4–5 assists per game, who finds cutters and roll men with sharp timing … Can initiate for a few actions, though better in catch‑and‑shooter or secondary playmaker roles… Quick enough laterally to stay in front of most guards and strong enough to handle aggressive screens … High motor and engaged every possession, averaging close to 2 steals per game … Active hands and quick reading of passing lanes stand out… Defends multiple positions, can switch onto wings or bigger guards without collapse … Rebounds better than most guards, grabbing near 6 boards/game and igniting transitions … Displays solid fundamentals: fights through screens, contests close‑outs, and doesn’t get caught watching …

Weaknesses: Not an explosive athlete, vertical isn’t impressive and he can be challenged at the rim vs elite athletes … Finishes often look modest and deliberate; he’s physical but lacks aggressive rim attack … Pull‑up threes and across‑the‑court attempts are streaky and sometimes low‑arced… Needs work on his ball‑handling with his left hand, can be too predictable in split‑dribble or drive combos… Has off‑night rhythm fluctuations, which affect shot confidence… Decision‑making can be iffy at times … Effort can dip sporadically, leading to occasional breakdowns in transition … While solid laterally, he can get shrugged off by bigger wings on switches … Switch defense sometimes reveals limitations, stronger wings can overpower him without help … Solid but not elite defender, won’t consistently guard NBA-level scorers 1-on‑1 …

Overall: Shulga is a mature, well-rounded combo guard with solid size, reliable shooting, and two‑way IQ … He projects as a 3‑and‑off guard with playmaking upside and defensive grit … Not a high‑flyer athlete, his athleticism is a concern, but strength, toughness, and smarts make him a valuable rotational piece… With continued refinement in handling and consistency, he can evolve into a dependable multi‑phase contributor at the next level …

Notes:  Shulga measured 6’4.25” without shoes, 206.4 pounds, with a 6’5.75” wingspan and 8’3.00” standing reach at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. He posted a 29.5-inch no-step vertical and a 34.5-inch max vertical. A native of Kyiv, Ukraine .., Shulga spent the 2024–25 season at VCU after transferring from Utah State and emerged as a reliable combo guard. … He is known for his steady floor game, mature decision-making, and strong feel as a secondary playmaker. While not an explosive athlete, his toughness, passing vision, and improved shooting make him an intriguing depth option for NBA teams seeking guard stability …

Stefanos Makris 6/26/25