George Washington University 2012 Homecoming

1998-99 Poster: Coach Penders, Shawnta #54 and me #55

Without a doubt, it's hard to believe that it has been 13 years since the Senior Night of my college basketball career. And just as many years since my fellow teammate Shawnta Rogers - the 5'4 Giant point-guard - drilled a buzzer-beating three-pointer against Xavier on that memorable February day that propelled GW to win Atlantic-10 West Title in 1999.

To make a long story short, here is the YouTube video to witness how it all happened. That was a picture perfect Senior Night scenario any college player could dream about. And to top it all off, Shawnta was battling the flue and didn't practice with a team for three days leading up to the game:-) Definitely a fair-tail story for GW Athletics history book!

During our pro basketball careers in Europe, Shawnta and I have played against each other in EuroCup competition few times, but never again did we wear the same team uniform. While playing for Greekteam ARIS against Shawnta's Italian side Cantu, I had to guard Shawnta in one of the decisive possessions of the game due to a defensive mistake... It was a mismatch... And guess what? The Nut dribbled few times stepped back and drilled a crucial three pointer right in my face... :-)

This past Saturday, February 18th, 2012 Shawnta Rogers, along with other GW greats Jack Kvancz, Joe McKeown and Chris Monroe was inducted in GW Athletic Hall of Fame. It was a great pleasure to share this ceremony with him and the extended GW Athletic family. 

Some days ago I posted a picture of GW players celebrating that victory over Xavier on Facebook. The emotions on the faces of my teammates are unbelievable! All of them have responded with lots of comments even though it has been long 13 years since that day... The bottom line, sports have an ability to create long lasting memories, so for those who still on the court, don't waste your time, create the memories for yourself, your teammates and your fans!

GO GW! RAISE HIGH THE BUFF&BLUE!

FRESH FROM GW TODAY NEWS WIRE: THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!

---

---

Yegor Mescheriakov

A Basketball Star Returns

After 11 years, former Colonial Yegor Mescheriakov comes back to finish his GW degree.
April 18, 2011
By Brad Bower

He first arrived in Washington during the fall of 1995 with a 10-word English vocabulary. He took nonstop English classes along with study halls and meetings with tutors. He even took part in preseason karate practices that began at 7 a.m. followed by more classes and three-hour basketball practices.

Fans who attended George Washington basketball games during the late 1990s will tell you he was one of the best players to ever don the Buff & Blue. In fact, he is the youngest member of GW’s All-Century Team, an unofficial list of the best players in GW basketball history that was compiled in 2001.

He is Yegor Mescheriakov (“YAY-gor Mes-SHARE-a-kov”), a lanky man from Minsk, Belarus, who played under former GW coach Mike Jarvis from 1995 to 1999. A rarity in the college game, he earned a bachelor’s degree prior to his senior season and returned to the team to play the 1998-99 season as a graduate student while pursuing a master’s degree in tourism administration.

My History: 1999 NBA Aspirations - GWU Hatchet Newspaper Article

Mescheriakov readies for future 

Zach Leibowitz

by Hatchet Sport Writer

Issue: 4/26/99 | Sports

Only a few GWU basketball players are remembered by every fan who has witnessed a Colonials game. Graduate student Yegor Mescheriakov is one of them.Standing at 6-9, Mescheriakov has dazzled fans with his intense slam dunks and dynamic all-around skills. In the last four years, Mescheriakov has helped give the GWU basketball program a higher profile. He hopes to continue representing GWU in the NBA.

“My time at GWU has been very positive, but it wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t supposed to be. It’s college,” Mescheriakov said. “I matured and developed myself here, and I’m grateful for this experience.”