Vladimir Tkachenko

Vladimir Pyotrovich Tkachenko (alternate spelling: Vladimir Tkatchenko) (Russian: Владимир Петрович Ткаченко; born September 20, 1957 in Sochi, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, Soviet Union) is a Ukrainian-Russian retired professional basketball player. Tkachenko won two Summer Olympic Games medals and three FIBA World Cup medals with the senior men's Soviet Union national basketball team. He was also named both the Euroscar and the Mr. Europa in 1979. His club career lasted 16 years. He is a member of the FIBA Hall of Fame.

Tkachenko, a 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m), 310 lb (140 kg) center, was a great defensive player. He could block out 2-3 opponents to give teammates a chance to grab a rebound. His offensive ability was important too, as his post up moves were basic, but effective, and his shooting was good for a player of his size, with a range of approximately 17 feet.

Tkachenko began playing for Stroitel of the USSR Premiere League during the 1973–74 season, when he was 16 years old. He continued to play for them through the 1981-82 season. In 1983, he began playing for the USSR League CSKA Moscow, and he stayed there through the 1988–89 season. He finished his club career in the former Spanish 2nd division with Guadalajara, in the 1989–90 season.

From 1976 to 1987, Tkachenko played on the senior men's Soviet Union national basketball team, participating in many FIBA EuroBasket and FIBA World Cup competitions. With the Soviet national team he won numerous medals, including: two bronze medals at the 1976 Summer Olympics Games and at the 1980 Summer Olympics games, the gold medal at the 1982 FIBA World Championship (also silver medals at the 1978 FIBA World Championship and the 1986 FIBA World Championship); as well as three gold medals at the FIBA EuroBasket: at the FIBA EuroBasket 1979, the FIBA EuroBasket 1981, and the FIBA EuroBasket 1985 (also silvers at the FIBA EuroBasket 1977 and the FIBA EuroBasket 1987).