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Vladislav Goldin reflects on 'amazing' season at Michigan: 'I'm so grateful that I chose to go here'

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•05/05/25•

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Vladislav Goldin
Michigan Wolverines basketball center Vladislav Goldin was a first-team All-Big Ten selection. (Photo by Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)

Michigan Wolverines basketball center Vladislav Goldin is preparing for the 2025 NBA Draft after five seasons of college basketball — one at Texas Tech, three at Florida Atlantic and one at U-M.

From leading Florida Atlantic to the 2023 Final Four to earning first-team All-Big Ten honors and helping the Wolverines win the 2025 Big Ten Tournament, it’s been quite the journey. The Voronezh, Russia, native went five years without seeing his family but created a life for himself in America through the game of basketball.

“It is unbelievable having that kind of opportunity, to live in different places, meeting new people,” Goldin said on the ‘Defend The Block’ podcast. “I’m just grateful to be in the position I am. It’s just been amazing.”

His one year at Michigan, following head coach Dusty May from Florida Atlantic to Ann Arbor, was a highlight.

“It meant a lot for me. Obviously, playing for a team like Michigan has been unbelievable, playing for this crowd, playing in front of so many fans, making that kind of history,” Goldin said. “I’m so grateful that I chose to go here, and it’s been an amazing year.”

Added Goldin, with a laugh: “A little cold, but amazing.”

May and Goldin spent four years together and created a tight bond.

“He meant so much to me, just because he helped me go through so much adversity through my college career,” Goldin said. “Sometimes I played bad, and he still talked to me, tried to encourage me and tried to help me get through that tough stretch of games. When I played great, he was still the same. He still tried to help me get better, and that means a lot that he doesn’t change his approach based on the result.”

Goldin’s parents visited Michigan in early May, and seeing them for the first time in five years was an emotional moment. The 7-foot-1, 250-pounder saw his two worlds come together.

“In the group chat, I said, ‘Thank you, everybody,'” Goldin revealed. “I was kinda scared to see my family because I hadn’t seen them so long and didn’t know what kind of emotions I was gonna feel.

“And I said, ‘Thank you, everybody,’ because all the teams I played on gave me a sense of home. It truly felt like a family. I truly care about all of my teammates who I’ve played with, and that’s probably what helped me get through all the years without seeing my family. I really have brothers.”

Goldin instantly became a fan favorite at Michigan and made his mark in his one season with the program. He was asked what he’d like Wolverine fans to remember about his time in Ann Arbor.

“I would like them to remember the championship,” Goldin said. “As any athlete, we want to win, and we want fans to remember those kind of championships. I’m OK as long as they remember the championship.”

As far as the 2024-25 Michigan basketball team, which won 27 games, hung a championship banner and advanced to the Sweet 16, Goldin said he himself will remember the following: “Just the work ethic, how everybody worked and we did not complain. If Coach said we’re gonna run, we ran. Just a willingness to do anything it takes to win.”

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