Ukraine players, amid war, drawing inspiration from homeland
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By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Basketball Writer
Ukraine’s national basketball team gathered this summer tasked with lifting the spirits of those back home in a war-torn country. Turns out, it was the other way around. A long summer slate of games didn’t start well for Ukraine. Losses were piling up, tension was mounting, frustration was obvious. Something had to change. That’s when the team had a meeting and decided they would draw inspiration from those who are fighting for their nation’s freedom in the war against Russia.