GENERAL: Had major adjustments to make to make both on and off the court when he first arrived in the United States... A native of St. Petersburg, Russia, Likcholitov knew just a few of words of English when he arrived after the fall 1998 semester had already started... Made the transition nicely and has become a favorite among his teammates and classmates... His arrival to Virginia Commonwealth created an immediate presence down low... Can change the direction of a game with his shot-blocking ability.

1998-99: Started 26 of Virginia Commonwealth's 31 games, more than any other player on the team... Final Colonial Athletic Association all-games rank: sixth in blocked shots (1.4 per game)... Averaged 1.9 blocks per contest in CAA play... Started first 12 games of the season and the Rams' last 14 games... Recorded 24 blocked shots in his last nine games (2.7 bpg)... Recorded a career high with 11 points vs. James Madison (Feb. 21)... Also tied his career high with six blocks against the Dukes, matching the six blocked shots he tallied vs. William & Mary on Jan. 25... 31 of his 44 blocks on the season came against conference opponents, including seven each against the Tribe and the Dukes... Registered 12 multiple-block games... Averages per 40 minutes of action: 10.3 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 4.4 bpg... Hit 35-of-70 shots (50.0 percent) from the field in the last 24 games of the season... Scored eight points, added three rebounds and also had two steals vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore (Nov. 23)... Scored seven points and pulled down six rebounds in 14 minutes of action against Old Dominion (Jan. 9)... Had multiple-rebounds in 16 of his last 21 games... Led the team with 14 dunks... Did not foul out of a game until the final game of the season vs. Old Dominion (Feb. 27) and recorded four fouls on only six occasions... Scored in eight of the last 11 games of the season

PERSONAL: Attended St. Petersburg (Russia) State Technological University, where he studied engineering... Played on the Russian National Team in the European championship for junior men in Bulgaria... Participated in the 1998 Albert Schweitzer Games in Germany, a world tournament featuring the best 19-and-under teams in the world... In 1997-98, he played for Team Baltica, where he averaged 16 points, 14 rebounds and four blocked shots per contest... Is the fourth Russian to play basketball at Virginia Commonwealth, joining current Ram Alex Shtam and former players Eugene Kissourine and Konstanin Pepeliaev.