Hi, my name is Ilya Tereshkin, I’m 29 years old, and basketball has been one of the biggest parts of my life. I’ve been playing for 21 years, and for about 3 of those years I played professionally in Russia. Basketball has always been more than just a sport to me — it’s my passion, my community, and a huge source of meaning and strength. In 2023, I moved with my family to the United States and settled in Asheville, North Carolina. Since arriving, I’ve continued playing basketball with local hoopers, sharing my experience, learning from others, and building friendships through the game.

Unfortunately, at the beginning of 2026, I suffered a serious ankle injury during play. I twisted my ankle badly, and doctors found a detached cartilage fragment that now requires surgery. The procedure I need is an ankle operation to remove the damaged fragment, and the total cost is very difficult for us to afford without insurance. My biggest hope is simply to return to the sport I love — even just as an amateur — and to be able to walk, move, and live normally again.

Any support, whether through a donation or by sharing this page, would mean the world to me and my family. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and for helping me on the road to recovery. With gratitude, Ilya Tereshkin