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How good is kentucky basketball
How good will Kentucky basketball team be in 2022-23 season?
Oscar Tshiebwe and the Kentucky Wildcats are expected to contend for a national championship in the 2022-23 season. Silas Walker
[email protected] The four games that the Kentucky men’s basketball team plays in the Bahamas this week won’t matter in the grand scheme of the 2022-23 season.
These are exhibitions in August, three months before the Wildcats officially tip off their latest campaign. UK’s coaches will get an early feel for their players, and fans will get a sneak peek at their team.
There should also be plenty of eyes on these Cats nationally.
Kentucky is ranked as one of the top teams in college basketball going into the 2022-23 season, and — while keeping in mind that nothing really matters for a few more months — this tour of the Bahamas will surely draw in some curious onlookers who come up with those rankings.![]()
Just how good should Kentucky be this season?
The early rankings from ESPN, CBS Sports, Sports Illustrated, The Athletic and NCAA.com’s Andy Katz all have the Wildcats in the top four nationally. That obviously means there’s a high expectation from those outside Kentucky that the Cats could (or should) return to the Final Four for the first time in eight years.
ESPN has the most recently updated rankings, and those put UK at No. 4, behind only North Carolina, Gonzaga and Houston. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi updated his Bracketology for the 2023 NCAA Tournament on Tuesday morning, with those four schools all listed as No. 1 seeds.
Going into this week, the Caesars sportsbook has UNC as the national title favorite at 8-1 odds, with UK and Gonzaga as the co-second-choices at 10-1.
The most recent rankings from CBS Sports and Sports Illustrated also have the Wildcats at No. 4 nationally, while Katz ranks Kentucky at No. 3 on his list. Longtime college basketball reporter and analyst Seth Davis has UK at the very top of his list — No.
1 in the country.
Davis mentioned the blend of returning players — Oscar Tshiebwe, Sahvir Wheeler and Jacob Toppin, most notably — and influx of new talent like Cason Wallace, Chris Livingston and Antonio Reeves in forming his No. 1-ranked team. UK also brings back Daimion Collins, Lance Ware and CJ Fredrick, who sat out last season with an injury but should be a major presence on this team.
“And that painful first-round loss to Saint Peter’s is going to serve as a powerful motivator,” Davis concludes.
Indeed, the Cats’ stunning NCAA Tournament exit in March is bound to be a major talker around this squad. In the early going, at least. Kentucky has enough talent and upside to quickly cement itself in the national title discussion early in the season, and this Bahamas trip will be a major step in the Wildcats’ team bonding experience going into the 2022-23 campaign. It’ll also be the first step toward turning the page on the way last season ended.
Tshiebwe is the first national player of the year to return to college since North Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough did it in 2008.
(The Tar Heels then won the national championship). There are some questions around Wheeler’s game, but he was graded as one of the best point guards in the country last season and has led the Southeastern Conference in assists two years running. Toppin could be on the verge of a breakout season, and those three should get plenty of additional help.
The Cats’ schedule in the Bahamas begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday with the opener against the Dominican Republic National Select Team, followed by games with college teams Tec de Monterrey (Mexico) and Carleton University (Canada), and then the Sunday finale against the Bahamas National Team.
All four games will be televised live on the SEC Network.
Bahamas schedule
Wednesday: Kentucky vs. Dominican Republic National Select Team, 7 p.m. (SEC)
Thursday: Kentucky vs. Tec de Monterrey, 7 p.m. (SEC)
Saturday: Kentucky vs. Carleton University, 6 p.m. (SEC)
Sunday: Kentucky vs.
Bahamas National Team, noon (SEC)
This story was originally published August 10, 2022 7:00 AM.
Ben Roberts
Ben Roberts is the University of Kentucky men’s basketball beat writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He has previously specialized in UK basketball recruiting coverage and created and maintained the Next Cats blog. He is a Franklin County native and first joined the Herald-Leader in 2006. Support my work with a digital subscription
Where is Kentucky ranked for the 2022-23 basketball season?
Kentucky head coach John Calipari talks to Wildcats big man Oscar Tshiebwe during a game against South Carolina on Feb. 8. Ryan C. Hermens
[email protected] It was a disappointing finish to Kentucky’s 2021-22 basketball season, the Wildcats’ national championship hopes ending just as their NCAA Tournament was getting started with a shocking loss to Saint Peter’s in the first round.
There appears to be plenty of hope for UK’s next run, however.
Even before Kansas defeated North Carolina in the national championship game Monday night, early rankings of the top teams for the 2022-23 college basketball season were starting to trickle out. All of those lists place the Cats near the top.
The Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy has the Wildcats in the No. 1 spot, though he makes it clear that ranking will change if national player of the year Oscar Tshiebwe doesn’t return to the team for next season.
UCLA, Kansas, Michigan and North Carolina complete DeCourcy’s top five, with Arkansas as the next-best Southeastern Conference team at No. 6 nationally.
College basketball reporter Jon Rothstein also has Kentucky as the No. 1 team for the 2022-23 season, though he has a projected starting lineup for UK that features both Tshiebwe and former No. 1 recruit Shaedon Sharpe, who is projected as a top-10 NBA Draft pick this year. That’s a rosy projection for the Wildcats’ offseason.
UK is followed on Rothstein’s list by UCLA, North Carolina, Houston and SEC foe Arkansas.
Over at The Athletic, it’s UCLA that’s No. 1 on Seth Davis’ list. Those rankings have Kentucky in the No. 2 spot, projecting that Tshiebwe will return and Sharpe will go pro. Arkansas is No. 3 nationally, according to Davis’ list.
It’s actually the Razorbacks that lead the ESPN “Way-Too-Early” rankings, entering next season with a projected starting lineup that features three McDonald’s All-Americans. That list has Kentucky at No. 7 nationally even while projecting that the Cats will lose both Tshiebwe and Sharpe.
The 247Sports rankings also featured Arkansas in the No. 1 spot, with Kentucky right behind the Hogs at No. 2 nationally. That list included a projection that Tshiebwe would return to the Wildcats, while Sharpe would move on to the NBA Draft. UCLA, Houston and Gonzaga finish out the top five.
Sports Illustrated also has Arkansas at No. 1 and Kentucky at No. 2, with a prediction that Tshiebwe would be back for another run with the Wildcats.
Houston, Kansas and Gonzaga are next on the SI list.
Longtime college basketball analyst Jeff Goodman also has Arkansas at No. 1 in his rankings for Stadium, a list that includes Kentucky at No. 8 (the lowest ranking of any of the national sites) with Tshiebwe’s status noted as “up in the air” and the expectation that Sharpe will enter and stay in the NBA Draft.
USA Today gives its top spot to Duke, which will feature the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class in the first season under new head coach Jon Scheyer. Kentucky is ranked No. 4 by USA Today, yet another prediction that is contingent on Tshiebwe returning to Lexington for the 2022-23 season. “He’ll surely strike gold in the transfer portal, too,” that write-up says of UK Coach John Calipari.
CBS Sports has Kentucky at No. 3 nationally, behind only UCLA and North Carolina. CBS national writer Gary Parrish says that his ranking for UK is based on the thought that Tshiebwe will return to the Wildcats next season. He adds that the Cats could move to No.
1 on his list if Sharpe also decides to play college basketball.
Longtime Pac-12 reporter Jon Wilner — writing for the San Jose Mercury News — has Kentucky ranked No. 2 behind North Carolina, but that spot is also highly contingent on Tshiebwe’s return. Without him, Wilner says UK wouldn’t be in his top 10 for next season. Michigan, Houston and Duke round out the top five on that list, with Arkansas the next best SEC team at No. 7 nationally.
The Caesars sportsbook updated early Tuesday morning with Kentucky tied for the third-shortest odds to win the national title. UK and Arizona were both at 15-1 on that sheet, with Kansas the 2023 favorite at 10-1 and Gonzaga next at 12-1. Arkansas is at 16-1 there. Caesars also included Louisville at 200-1 odds to win the championship in its first season under new head coach Kenny Payne.
The DraftKings sportsbook posted Duke as the early 2023 favorite at 9-1 just minutes after Monday night’s title game ended. UNC was next at 11-1, with Kentucky and Kansas after that at 12-1.
Kentucky basketball roster outlook
Obviously, it’s incredibly early to put too much stock into these 2022-23 rankings, especially with the considerable roster churn expected to take place within many of the programs at the top of these lists.
Kentucky is one of the best examples of a roster that remains almost completely up in the air for next season.
Kellan Grady and Davion Mintz, who are out of college eligibility, will both move on.
UK will bring in five-star recruits Chris Livingston and Cason Wallace — both top-10 national prospects — and early indications have been that former McDonald’s All-American forward Daimion Collins will return for a second season. Sharp-shooting guard CJ Fredrick — a two-year starter at Iowa — is expected to be fully healthy and return for next season.
Past that, there are still a lot of question marks.
So far, only Dontaie Allen and Keion Brooks have made any kind of public announcement. Allen is entering the transfer portal, and Brooks — a starter this past season — will enter his name in the NBA Draft with the opening to return for another year of college basketball.
TyTy Washington is expected to enter the draft for good sometime soon. Sharpe and Tshiebwe still haven’t announced plans. Starting point guard Sahvir Wheeler has been mum on his future. And Jacob Toppin, Bryce Hopkins and Lance Ware have also yet to make any public declarations about what they’ll do next season.
With Kentucky’s roster far from settled and pretty much all of those players who have yet to reveal their plans the subject of professional or transfer buzz, it’ll probably be a while before the Cats’ spot in these early 2022-23 rankings gets solidified.
The withdrawal date for the NBA Draft is expected to be June 1. Between now and then, UK will add some players from the transfer portal and likely lose some contributors from this past season’s team as its future roster rounds into form.
Whatever happens, it’s clear that expectations will once again be high going into next season.
This story was originally published April 5, 2022 7:00 AM.
Ben Roberts
Ben Roberts is the University of Kentucky men’s basketball beat writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He has previously specialized in UK basketball recruiting coverage and created and maintained the Next Cats blog. He is a Franklin County native and first joined the Herald-Leader in 2006. Support my work with a digital subscription
Kentucky Basketball Academies
Have you ever wanted to get into a reputable Kentucky basketball academy? Then you need to read this article titled "Basketball Academies in Kentucky". We'll also explore: Focus Basketball Academy Review, NuBreed Academy Review, Global Basketball Academy Review, and About Hoop Dreams.
Now let's talk about "Basketball Academies in Kentucky" directly.
Focus Basketball Academy Overview Tim Barnett started Focus Training Academy, a non-profit organization.
Helping young people become admirable individuals is our main goal.
We will encourage an upbeat, productive and stimulating environment.
Through cooperative and competitive play, we help children develop healthy self-esteem and raise awareness of the value of diversity.
We hope that the skills and knowledge gained through our program will help young people make more responsible decisions as they grow older, enabling them to become more self-reliant and productive members of society.
There are four core beliefs that form the foundation of FOCUS. They are:
Academics
For the young people participating in our program, we will always emphasize the value of a good education. Each of our students is expected to perform at a high level in their studies.
Sports Program We believe that through sports, young people can learn valuable life lessons and develop the qualities they need to succeed. In addition, these lessons can be used in a variety of contexts and settings.
Character Our academy builds on and continually strengthens the qualities of character that are critical to success in life.
Community As a group, we encourage our members to do what they can to help others less fortunate.
NuBreed Academy Overview The Campbellsville University Gym in Harrodsburg is home to the famous basketball training program. NuBreed Academy.
The Academy serves children of all ages and ability levels through a wide range of programs such as private and group coaching, camps, clinics, touring teams and minor leagues.
No matter how much or how little basketball experience you have, the NuBreed Academy can help you improve your skills and reach your full potential.
Clifford Berry is owned and operated by NuBreed Academy.
Global Basketball Academy Review At GBA, you can participate in our weekly group training sessions at any time of the year. We have our workouts every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the same time every day.
The basics of how to become a great player are covered in our class drill.
We teach skills including ball handling, shooting, footwork, defense and conditioning in every session.
People of all ages and fitness levels can benefit from our classroom training lessons.
The confidence a player gains by using the Dr.Dish basketball practice machine increases with regular use.
The GBA Shot Club provides players with the opportunity to take a large number of shots in a short amount of time during each shoot.
The
GBA Shot Club offers various membership levels, from 1,000 to 25,000. The Global Basketball Academy has adopted Dr. Disch as their official shooting machine.
GBA provides its clients with the same tools that the NBA and college teams use to improve their jump shots. Ending a one-on-one or group workout can be made more productive by including a shooting session.
Sessions can be scheduled at any time convenient for the client, but generally seven days a week.
About the dream hoop
Details of our Lexington basketball coach Coach Mike Scott, a Baltimore, Maryland native, used basketball to pave the way for a successful career and achieve his life goals.
Through Hoop Dreams, he had the opportunity to coach, teach and mentor young people and made it his life's mission to preserve this heritage.
The core philosophy of Hoop Dreams, or "Hoop Dream" as Coach Mike calls it, is to provide a safe haven for dedicated players to grow, train and compete in a first-class environment so they can achieve their basketball goals.
Coach Mike played junior ball at Cecil Community College in northeastern Maryland from 1999 to 2002 and was named to the All-American team every year.
Mike's dream of playing college basketball at the Division 1 level came true in 2002 when he transferred to Eastern Kentucky University.
Coach Mike, a defensive player with a "don't throw" mentality, played college football in his junior and senior years at Eastern Kentucky University under head coach Travis Ford.
Mike received his degree in Physical Education from EKU in 2003 and has maintained an unrivaled dedication to the sport. basketball ever since.
More Information While preparing for professional opportunities after college, Mike found his true calling in helping other young athletes with goals similar to his own reach their full potential.
Coach Mike found his "new" true calling and hasn't looked back since.
In 2007, Skills Training Hoop Dreams Squads and Competitive Travel Team Program was launched.
Over time, Hoop Dreams has grown into a thriving hub where players can participate in weekly skill development sessions, competitive youth basketball leagues, annual camps and clinics, and a roster of incredible college players who have all played and trained in Hoop Dreams programs . .
Dream Hoop has quickly become a nationally recognized program and our touring teams continue to expand every year.
Our basketball coach is not only the brains of Hoop Dreams, but also a true visionary who constantly strives to improve the chances of success for all our program participants.
Overview of Morehead Basketball Academy in Laughlin
Even after basketball competitions are over, you can still maintain your ability by training on your own.
As part of our coaching, your child will have the opportunity to work with one of our top basketball minds on a personalized plan to help him or her improve in all aspects of the game.
Congratulations to the Kentucky Bombers, Fifth Class Champions of the Battle of Laughlin!
Hindman's Yellow Vests deserve congratulations for winning the Fourth Class Division at the Battle of Laughlin.
Congratulations Wildcat Elite, from Lexington, Kentucky, who won this year's fifth grade MBA Showcase.
West Virginia Savage deserves congratulations on winning his fourth grade MBA competition.
Laughlin Medical Center recently refurbished floors and installed decals featuring the city, county, parks and recreation services as part of the project.
We want all children and teams to have a safe and fun place to play.
Our office is located on the Morehead State University campus, making us convenient for all your basketball needs.
If you're looking for information about basketball in Eastern Kentucky, you've come to the right place! Our services include personalized tuition, city leagues, and weekend tournaments sanctioned by the AAU.
We welcome third party groups to host tournaments here and will provide any assistance needed to ensure their success.
About MidAmerica Sports Complex Basketball camps are available year round at the MidAmerica Sports Center. Be sure to come back often as we will be adding events as they are planned.
For information about the Basketball Academy, contact Phil Morrison at (502) 309-8531.
There are no scheduled leagues at the moment.
One of the best indoor sports centers in the Midwest is the MidAmerica Sports Center. Launch date - October 2002.
Our beautiful complex has:
- 64,000 square feet
- 9 volleyball courts or 5 full size basketball courts - or any combination in between.
- They built all the courts from hardwood maple.
- Seats on each court for spectator viewing, Center Court can accommodate up to 1,000 people.
- Two scoreboards per court.
- Independent sound system on each court.
- State of the art 4,000 square foot fitness center fully equipped with the latest strength, cardiovascular and athletic training equipment. Staffed with professional personal trainers on site to work with individuals, groups or teams.
- Concessions with dining/observation deck.
- Meeting rooms for events and team meetings.
Griffin Elite Sports & Wellness Review In order to increase strength and power, improve speed and agility, and reduce the risk of injury during competition or training, Griffin Elite Sports and Wellness Athletic Performance staff will develop and implement a program with using the most modern methods for training in specific sports.
We use everything from plyometric boxes to bands, ladders, free weights and more.
Strengths and weaknesses can be identified by tracking progress through periodic testing.
This data is useful for developing programs, keeping athletes motivated and ensuring training effectiveness. learning procedures.
Athletes will be given appropriate steps based on their current skill level and their potential to meet the challenges that the sport poses.
Griffin Elite is committed to providing its athletes and clients with the highest standards of service, always treating them with the utmost respect and integrity.
Our field of activity Sports exercises
Aspect of speed and agility Running mechanics, footwork, acceleration, deceleration, linear and lateral movement techniques.
Permanent strength and conditioning Ready to play training for all athletes including weightlifting, plyometrics, medicine ball exercises, jumping and landing.
Injury prevention training Muscle imbalances are identified and corrected, a stretch/flexibility program is implemented and nutritional advice is given.
How it works
Screening process Check for multi-joint dysfunction throughout the kinetic chain that can reduce performance and increase risk of injury.
Programs Create and schedule an individual program to eliminate dysfunctions and improve performance in sports movement.
Developmental Aspect Increase your linear, lateral and multidirectional speed while strengthening the basic structural components that provide mobility and application in specific sports.
Evolve 2 Perform Basketball Training Academy Overview Coach Justin Taylor, founder of EVOLUTION 2 PERFORM, has been involved in the growth and development of basketball players through specialized training since 2006.
Coach Taylor played at the Division I level in college and went on to play professionally in a number of countries after earning a BA in Graphic Design.
He has mastered the ins and outs of basketball at the collegiate and professional levels, giving him an edge in the competition.
As a result of being given the opportunity to compete with and learn from the best in the business, his experience covers a wide range of perspectives on the sport.
He has direct experience competing and coaching in the NCAA Division I, so he understands the requirements for success at that level.
As a tribute to basketball and society, Coach Taylor developed basketball training programs because of his love of the game and his enthusiasm for developing athletes.
He now uses the Evolve 2 Perform performance platform to help people in the basketball and sports community.
As professional athletes, we all strive to improve our skills over the course of our careers.
In the gym, we could try the dribbling and jumping that we saw online or elsewhere.
We often assume that we have done a good job when we realize that we have spent many hours in the gym.
More information Athletes who constantly dedicate themselves to training and achieving goals are the favorites of coaches. “Practice makes perfect” is a saying that has been misunderstood for a long time. What this really means is that repetition and deliberate effort lead to sustainable change.
If you go to the gym and keep improving negative habits and terrible mental attitudes, you will never progress as a player.
Every great athlete in history has achieved what he has achieved. honing your skills to perfection.
Perfection is the end result of progress. When you notice that with each new session of practice you become better at your craft, you have taken the first necessary step towards mastery.
About Sports of All Kinds Chosen Northern Kentucky Basketball Academy uses Sports of All Kinds as its "home" facility for Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball.
All teams in this league are independent groups that come here to compete.
Many teams and leagues hold tryouts here or elsewhere throughout the year to put together their best lineups for upcoming competitions.
At this level, teams aim for a variety of outcomes, including but not limited to improving their chances of making the high school teams and participating in the AAU Kentucky State Tournament and possibly the AAU National Championships.
When it comes to amateur sports in the United States, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is a powerful hub.
Slot Machine The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is a multidisciplinary sports organization that works to improve and empower recreational athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
To help our young athletes and those looking to improve their skills, Sports of All Sorts is happy to partner with Basketball FUN-damentals and Coach Scott.
"Exercise builds skills - it's that simple" is Coach Scott's motto.
Kentucky Youth Baseball Academy Overview Our goal at Kentucky Youth Baseball Academy is to provide children of all ages with a fun, rewarding and safe baseball experience.
In addition, create an atmosphere in which sportsmanship, learning, teamwork, practice and respect can flourish.
Finally, instill in your athlete the methods and ideas he needs to succeed in the great game of baseball.
Who owns the Academy? Chris Hoagland, single father of three wonderful boys, is the owner. He has spent his entire life in and around the sports world.
He has played as a baseball player and basketball coach at the football, minor league and collegiate levels.
About the property They will launch this facility to provide year-round access for young people of all ages to an environment conducive to their development as baseball players.
As a parent, I understand that you have many demands on your time and resources.
Academy Initiation Your child will receive the personalized coaching he or she needs to reach their full baseball potential and, more importantly, acquire valuable life skills.
We will instruct both the physical and mental aspects of the game.
I believe the training your athlete receives at Kentucky Youth Baseball Academy will help them succeed.
Aspirations vary from person to person. In fact, it's one of my lifelong goals to see young people excel in athletics.
After a child has worked hard and put on a great play, there is no greater reward than to see him smile or hear his story.
I am fortunate to have wonderful friends who share my desire to provide the best possible future for their children. Quick recovery!
Review Schooler Prep Academy It is always possible to learn more about the game and improve their mental abilities, regardless of their current ability level. Take the time to learn to appreciate basketball from those around you.
DISCIPLINES
My job requires me to stay focused, take responsibility when others don't want to, and get things done when others are asleep.
HEART
Because of my faith, I know that I can achieve anything.
FAMILY
We will value each other and work together to achieve great things for our city.
RAISE THOUGHTS AND GAME
On and off the court, your team will be led by professionals with a combined 60 years of experience.
START LEARNING
Shooters Archers have to shoot. You must be ready to make the decisive move when the moment comes in the game.
Strength Intelligent, courageous and physically strong. Find out what it takes to train and perform at the highest level.
Basics Understand the game at a more advanced level. Structures and systems are only as good as their fundamentals. In exchange for your efforts, we will lay your foundation.
Review by James Schooler One of the most successful basketball coaches in the country, with over 20 years of experience working with elite athletes.
Its main goal is to help every athlete reach their full potential as a basketball player by strengthening their mental and physical endurance.
As a coach, James has helped more than 100 young athletes progress to the student and professional levels.
When it comes down to it, Coach Schooler just wants to use basketball as a vehicle to pass on some fundamental life lessons.
Conclusion By reading this article titled "Basketball Academies in Kentucky", you will achieve your basketball goals. You can also read more about: Focus Basketball Academy Review, NuBreed Academy Review, Global Basketball Academy Review, and About Hoop Dreams.
See also: https://schoolerprepacademy.com/
Russian basketball is waiting for a generation of tough guys. Who will Andrei Kirilenko rebuild with? Bank shot - Blogs In his opinion, and according to some experts, young players aged 19-22 will soon be able to change the alarming situation in Russian basketball.
This optimism is based on several facts:
• The Russian national teams showed uncharacteristically high results in the youth championships - 4th place at the U18 European Championship in 2018 and 5th place at the U19 World Championship in 2019;
• 18 Russian players at once tried their hand at NCAA programs last season, this is a record figure for Russian basketball;
• 29 players of the year 2000 and younger from the VTB youth project took to the court in the main teams of the VTB League and the Super League, this is also a record.
We asked experts to talk about the strengths and weaknesses of those who will represent Russia very soon.
Samson Ruzhentsev
Forward, 201 cm, 19 years old, Florida (NCAA)
Ruzhentsev trained at CSKA for a year, but never got a contract there. This did not upset him at all: four years ago he moved to the Hamilton Heights school, which is based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and turned into one of the leaders of a successful basketball program.
And also became famous in the States thanks to the victory in the dunk contest Dr. Pepper.
Last year, Ruzhentsev entered the University of Florida, the college that graduated Bradley Beal, Al Horford and Chandler Parsons. American scouts praise the striker as "a confident scorer who can score from any distance" and note his coordination and defensive versatility.
For various reasons, last season Florida did not count on the first-year especially: he played very little, and set a personal performance record in the match with Kentucky - eight points.
Vladimir Spivak, FIBA representative in Russia, VTB league commentator: “I think many people like Ruzhentsev. He is very athletic, he has a good jump, he takes up a lot of space, especially on the European court, which is smaller. I was surprised when he came to the viewing camp now, tactically he grasped everything quite quickly, although, of course, in America a little less attention is paid to this.
He had a tough season in Florida, he didn't play much because the older people who were supposed to go to the NBA didn't make it because of the pandemic, because the draft combines were canceled and stuff. He wanted to leave already, he was persuaded to stay in Florida, they promised more playing time. He will have a very interesting season. He says he's working on ballhandling, how to play pick and roll like a kid. He needs to improve in transmission, in the ability to play partners ...
But this is all conditional, because it was very difficult to see him in the game last season. He was given trash minutes. But he is a bright head. Plus to his athleticism. An open and interesting person. It's always captivating."
Pavel Savkov
Defender, 201 cm, 19 years old, Baskonia (Spain)
In the Baskonia system since 2019, played on loan in the team of the third division Juaristi, last season he was noted at the base of the club from Vitoria. In February, he made his debut for the Russian national team.
In May, he announced that he had nominated for the NBA draft.
Spivak: “His strengths are his size, he's already over two meters, long arms, and - most importantly - understanding of the game. He works hard to play pick-and-roll like a little guy, despite being six feet tall. This is a powerful weapon for any team if they have such a powerful player who can pick and roll like a little one. And, of course, a three-point shot. He has the skill and desire to throw decisive shots: he has scored such shots throughout his young life at all ages. And even the fact that he hit three in the game of the national team, although it did not decide anything, once again confirmed that he had a clutch.
He needs to work on his body. Despite the fact that he added, there is room for work. This is not really a problem, but you need to work on the shoulder girdle and on the attack - passing, finishing in contact and without contact. He plays pick and roll, and his first option is to throw, the second is to give, and only the third is to go himself.
But there is optimism about its prospects. He's in a healthy system. He is a very smart guy himself. He is surrounded by people who care about his career and help him make smart decisions. He is in another country, he speaks two foreign languages, and this always develops you as a person. It always keeps you in good shape, does not let you relax, because you are in a competitive environment, it develops in any case.
Anton Kardanakhishvili
Point guard, 195 cm, 19 years old, CSKA-2
He made his debut for the national team in the Olympic qualification (and even entered the starting five against Germany), without having a single match in the top division behind him Russian basketball. Last season, he repeatedly got to the training sessions of the “basics” of the army team and was even on the roster for VTB League games. He has been under the scrutiny of coaches since a young age due to his excellent court vision, playmaking skills and aggressiveness.
Played in the junior Euroleague tournament (U19) at the age of 16. At that time, the head coach of the CSKA double, Andrey Maltsev, against the background of pluses, saw the young guy's excessive desire to play beautifully as the main minus - this led to a large number of losses. Now, with Anton who has matured, this problem is no longer so noticeable. It can be expected that in the coming season he will be under the tutelage of Dimitris Itoudis more often.
Ivan Lazarev, super league and VTB league commentator: “Kardanakhishvili made me very happy in those matches that I saw: I like his sporting arrogance, his skills, and the fact that he sees the court well, flirts with partners, acts very decisively , goes to the beat. His debut for the national team was a success, what more could you ask for? He got his time and showed himself in such a way that they immediately started talking about him as the future of the team.
He has a little problem. He is still not a clean first number, but retrained from the second.
Therefore, he had problems with the withdrawal of the ball, but you need to understand that he has not played at this level yet and has no experience. With age, with more playing practice, everything will work out for him, and his older teammates in the national team will help him.
Here it is necessary to make a reservation (this applies to each player): under the confluence of all circumstances, with their own work and dedication, and somewhere a little bit of luck, they will succeed. They will get a lot of playing time with top teams."
Alexander Evseev
Forward, 205 cm, 19 years old, CSKA-2
In the army club, Evseev is called the illegitimate son of Smodis: the young player resembles the legend of European basketball both externally and with basketball skills - cunning and mobility under the basket, decision-making , a decent long-range throw. What is missing, perhaps, is the crazy athleticism that Matyazh had in his "thin" early years. Last season, he made his debut for the first team, playing 4 minutes against Nizhny, and became the MVP of the Final Eight of the VTB United Youth League.
Anatoliy Kashirov, Superleague commentator: “Evseev looks and plays like Smodis, one on one. I had deja vu when I first saw it. A lot climbs inside - it seems that the more they cling to him, the more he climbs there. A combative guy, but practically does not quit. He seems to have a good throw, if he adds to this, it will be generally excellent.
In general, it fills the "paint", inside under the ring. And now, let's say, if we are talking about the national team, then he would suit them perfectly - the classic number four of my youth, like those on which I grew up.
On defense, he can't play very well against the little ones, but against the third-fifths he will fight off due to the fact that he is so stocky.
Makar Konovalov
Point guard, 189 cm, 20 years old, MBA
As part of his role, he can do almost everything, maybe not yet brilliantly, but quite soundly. Last season, he showed himself not only as one of the leaders of the army double, but also as a clutcher, the author of the most important goals.
As a result, he did not finish the season in CSKA-2 - he was released by the youth project to Samara to play the playoffs. There he became the champion of Superleague-1, getting time on the floor, which is quite decent for a young player on loan.
Anatoliy Kashirov : “A groovy guy, one-on-one plays awesome due to sharpness-speed, he is small and has a cool quality - he constantly fouls. At the superleague level, it all works great. If he gets into a higher level team, the VTB League team, and does the same there, it will be great. The problem is that there were several games when he was directly covered seriously. Due to the fact that he is small: he climbs inside, there are safety nets, the “big ones” block all those close to him - and that’s it, he has nothing to do. Due to lack of height, he cannot then perform Anton Ponkrashov or Papaloukas and pass through his hands. This is the problem. Lack of growth takes its toll.
But he sees the transmissions.
If he climbs inside, then he is ready to complete it himself and poke the ball with the “big” one. At the same time, in my opinion, he is not the first number, but rather an attacking defender. He was rather forced to play on the first one when Umrikhin broke down. But it seems to me that he is more focused on the attack.
Naturally, due to his size, he cannot change in defense during pick-and-rolls, he is immediately crushed due to his size - any, starting from the second number. That is, here any coach will have to hide him on pick-and-rolls.
Yuri Umrikhin
Guard, 190 cm, 22 years old, CSKA-2 Itoudis's training, was noted in several matches, even went to the floor in the Euroleague (for a few seconds away against Bayern). He could have been included in the application for the Olympic qualification, since he showed himself excellently at the viewing camp of Sergei Bazarevich, but he caught the coronavirus and could not take part in the preparation of the national team.
Anatoly Kashirov : “I like Umrikhin even more than Konovalov. He also climbs inside, earns fouls, beats ... It seems that he is more ready for adult basketball. He has a more stable throw and finish inside, he has better control under the shield. But he has less focus on transmission, more he wants to complete a directly pronounced individual style. I think that if he had not broken down, he would definitely have been at the training camp of the national team. In the first games, he showed himself very well - he dragged straight.
Ivan Lazarev : “I have known Umrikhin for about five or six years. Even when he himself played for CSKA Moscow, he periodically played for the youth team, and then he already played there - then he was still a very young guy. Coach Maltsev invested a lot in him: he constantly explained some small details to him. Umrikhin is a real engine of the team, a speeding player, very fast, always the first to run, although he throws the ball himself.
There is a feeling that he is between the positions of the first and second numbers. With the position of the first number, we are not doing well.
He has a very good pull-up after the pick and roll. He jumps very high in the moment, he has a good momentum, he abruptly goes into the passage, throws off, gives back. Extremely positive impression. It seems to me that he needs to be added in terms of understanding the game and playing the game as a classic first number.
Filipp Gafurov
Forward/center, 211 cm, 20 years old, CSKA-Junior
After leaving for the Baltic States, where the young player tried to get practice at an adult level, he returned home in terrible physical shape and spent a long time restoring his condition. Therefore, last season I didn’t get much time even in Super League-1, playing more for the “junior” army team. At the same time, Bazarevich really liked him, who, against the backdrop of a shortage of "big ones", was ready to include Philip in a dozen for qualification - an injury prevented him.
Gafurov is still very raw, but quite a modern “big”, with a good throw from a distance and at the same time a fighting character. Ready to fight under the shields for rebounds, even noticeably inferior to rivals in physical strength and weight category.
Spivak : “Gafurov is very mobile: at 212 he has a small arm span, but it doesn’t matter, because he manages to defend on his feet from second to fifth position. Despite 212, his position is number three, as I see it. He needs to add in the throw, in the game in attack. Until the mobility that helps him a lot in defense is not converted into something in attack, he does not have much skill in attack, but he can pass very well, he has seedlings of understanding of the game, and his body is amazing.
The question is how he will continue to use it and whether the training sessions in the Russian national team, which are not numerous, during the season will be his only opportunity to improve his skills.
That's the main question about him."
Anatoly Kashirov : “Bazarevich liked Gafurov madly, as far as I know. He's really cool. He is very raw in terms of mental readiness and body readiness for big tournaments. Even for the Super League, he is not very ready. At the level of the VTB Youth League, he directly dragged the whole team behind him, defended from the first number to the fifth, put pressure on the first number near the central circle, he could do anything - long arms, moving legs. Probably, at an adult level, he lacks mass and psychological self-confidence. I thought so. If he is not crushed by the realities of our Russian basketball, if he is not forced to carry a piano behind someone, then he will open up. I think that he needs to artificially create conditions for him to open up. If the coach is ready to give him such a role, even to the detriment of the team, but with an eye to the future, then he will become very cool.
Bazarevich held him until the very end and wanted to keep him for the tournament, but, of course, he is much less ready for adult basketball than Kardanakhishvili.
If it is now allowed into adult basketball, it will go out. Not enough psychology and strength.
Alexander Shashkov
Forward/center, 210 cm, 21 years old, CSKA-2
Shashkov has been followed for a long time: he looked bright in the national teams, played abroad (in Slovenia and Italy), but for some reason still are not taken seriously as an adult player - most often they doubt the formation of character. At the same time, Alexander is an amazingly talented player, brightly pounding from above, cool acting with his back to the ring and having an excellent shot from a distance. In the last season of the adult Superleague-1, he scored 13 points with 67% of two-pointers and 42% of three-pointers - excellent accuracy for a “big”. I managed to check in on the floor for the "basis" of CSKA.
Anatoly Kashirov : “Chashkov is a modern number five: throws, jumps, runs. He plays inside, and passes, and attacks from a distance. I think he is ready for adult basketball both in body and in his decisions.
The only thing is that when he is not rushing, he droops, there are such problems in the head. It's hard for him to catch his rhythm. He trained a lot with the base, but did not play, because it is difficult to get into the main team of CSKA: even with all the problems of the fourth numbers, there were many there.
Ivan Lazarev : “Very cool: Euroleague level body, stable long-range shot, reads the game well, rebounds aggressively.
A little bit of a mental component is lame: he is unstable in this regard, I think that he should work on emotional stability.
He also practically does not play or plays little post as a classic "big". Now basketball is moving away from this, but it seems to me that this “playing to the ring” component itself needs to be tightened up.
Alexander Khomenko
Defender, 192 cm, 22 years old, CSKA
He has already played more than fifty matches for the main army team, including participation in the Euroleague Final Four, but has not yet got rid of the label of a narrow defensive specialist.
If he adds more aggression and effectiveness in attack, he is quite capable of becoming at least a new Baburin for the Russian team.
Anatoly Kashirov: “Khomenko is a full-fledged player of the main team, he played only two matches for CSKA-2, two enchanting matches. In them, he showed that he is absolutely ready for a high level, much better than anyone else. This was clear from his performances for the main team. Without a doubt, in any other team in the VTB League, he would easily play the second point guard even now.
He defends himself well. According to Spivak, Khomenko is the best defender in Russian basketball. During the series between CSKA and Nizhny Novgorod, he kept repeating: “There is no Khomenko and there is no one to defend himself.” He defends really well, plows in defense, and also has a great vision of the field.
From what I saw, compared to last season, he improved in terms of psychology and started talking to more experienced players on an equal footing, commanding them.
For the first issue, this is a very important quality. I like him. I did not even understand why he was not taken to the national team. Right now he is stronger than Kardanakhishvili.
The only weak side is that when he goes into the pass, he sometimes burrows, they cover him, and he jumps out, looking for a pass. But I think it's just a matter of experience."
Andrey Lopatin
Light forward, 208 cm, 22 years old, CSKA
A high forward for his position, he has a reliable long-range shot and has already delighted fans with bright matches for the army "base". Probably, this season could have turned out more successfully for him - and Lopatin has already appeared in the national team, where he even played in the starting lineup - if it were not for the insulting fracture of the wrist in CSKA training. The main problem of the young player is the presence in the club in his position of experienced, proven, and therefore inviolable Nikita Kurbanov and Will Clyburn.
Ivan Lazarev : “Lopatin is a forward with an excellent set of basketball skills. He is very tall for the third number: there is a height of 2.10, now he is still overgrown with meat, he looks very organic on the site, a good pass, a good throw, long fast steps. A trained forward who can close positions of both the third and fourth numbers.
There is a feeling that he depends on the mood of the team, on what surrounds him. I would like to wish him emotional stability, so that he adds to this.
In general, for a couple of seasons he has been getting some minutes in CSKA, going against strong opponents, showing that he can score points. Now he again missed the segment due to injury. I wish him a speedy recovery. He is a very versatile player."
Anton Kvitkovskikh
Light forward, 205 cm, 20 years old, Avtodor
Another of our AK-47s: Kvitkovskikh grew up in Izhevsk, and since 2016 got into the Saratov Avtodor system, where he has long been perceived as an integral part of the young duet with Mikhailovsky both in the main team and in the junior team of Russia.
In 2021, Kvitkovskikh was close to breaking into the main national team of the country: he spent the entire preparatory period with the team, but before the official matches he went home with the wording: “We realized that Kvitkovskikh is the future.”
Spivak : “Kvitkovskikh - good size, good athleticism, good mobility for his height of 2.05, the desire to constantly rebound. He has a three-point shot, it is clear that it is unstable, but not bad for a start.
At the same time, he lacks the fundamental foundations of basketball tactics, lacks competent decisions. And this can probably be said about all Avtodor players on this list. It is not clear how they can add to this, given that Avtodor is constantly changing coaches. And even when Russian young players get minutes, they are rarely part of team interactions.
I think that these Kwitkowski collections helped a lot. Bazarevich said that he would count on him in the future. Again, position “four” is our most skillful position lately: Vorontsevich, Antonov, Zubkov, but all of them are already 30+, and they will gradually go down.
A stake will be placed on the Kvitkovskys.
And in order to diversify the individual arsenal and play in the third position, he definitely needs to improve his dribbling.
Ivan Lazarev : “A two-meter forward, now, perhaps, he will still grow to 205 - good, overall, strong. One of the players who get serious minutes in the Avtodor roster shows himself well: he has a good three-point shot, acts aggressively on the rebound, and can play in fourth position. It seems to me that his body is quite ready for adult basketball, and his head too: he understands the game well, sees the court. It is important that he gets a lot of time and shows good statistics.
In Avtodor there are conditions in which young players can prove themselves. I think that he can grow into a good striker for our team. In defense, he can defend against tall and small opponents, and you can play with him both from above and below. In that regard, I really like him."
Nikita Mikhailovsky
Defender, 201 cm, 20 years old, Avtodor
From the age of 17, Mikhailovsky appears at the base of Avtodor and from about the same time appears as the main hope of Russian basketball.
By the age of 20 in his resume: the status of the youngest player in the playoffs of the VTB League, fourth place in the U18 European Championship, where he entered the symbolic team of the tournament, and fifth place in the U19 World Championship, where he became the second player in history to record a triple-double, two All-Star Games and two VTB League Young Player Awards.
At the moment, Mikhailovsky is not very interested in the Russian team. All his dreams are connected with the NBA.
Spivak : “Mikhailovsky's strengths are size, body, athleticism, the ability to complete attacks with both hands from under the ring, eurostep and, in general, a constant focus on outplaying one on one. Last season, he improved his three-point shooting. It seemed to me that last season he added more in personal defense. These are good signs.
Among the shortcomings that need to be worked on is the understanding of the game, the understanding of the team game.
It is unlikely that in any other team, except Avtodor, he will have such an alpha role. And if he's targeting the NBA (and he's targeting the NBA), it's understandable that they're unlikely to get that much time with the ball. And in general, he has a difficult situation, because he needs to improve his understanding of the game, but at the same time he needs to improve his statistics, show his skills, and every coach who comes to Avtodor faces a dilemma: to achieve results (what is required of him) or play pranks on young Russian players. As a result, neither one nor the other is obtained. And last season with a good coach Herbert showed this: there was no big leap in Nikita in terms of skill, primarily in terms of understanding the team game. Because when he came to train with Bazarevich, it all came out: in principle, he sees nothing but his attack, and it is almost impossible to wait for a pass from him. This is what causes concern: the further, the more, he is focused on himself, and you are less and less expecting some kind of grandiose leap in understanding the game.
Andrey Martyuk
Forward/center, 211 cm, 21 years old, Lokomotiv Kuban
Last season Krasnodar didn't buy Russian veterans, relying on their own youth team. And Martyuk turned out to be in the spotlight: even if he didn’t have some mind-blowing statistics, he regularly went to the floor for the “base”, having scored in 26 matches of the VTB League and 15 in the Eurocup, and often ended up in the starting five. Now all of Russia knows that a good “big” with a decent long-range shot is growing in the Kuban.
Spivak: “Martyuk burst in unexpectedly last season. He has a lot to play at a good level. First of all, it is the size and the desire to learn, the desire to add. Last season or even earlier, he started going to English classes twice a week in order to better adapt in the adult team and in general in adult basketball. Alan Williams took patronage over him, which Martyuk took well.
If we talk about basketball, I think that it needs to acquire muscles, it is logical and inevitable, but it just doesn't happen.
We need to work on finishing from under the basket, well, on defense, and on defense, first of all. The opposing teams, who could, actively used the fact that he did not defend very well on pick-and-rolls.
But the policy of Krasnodar is that he will have minutes, I think in the coming seasons, at least he will have the opportunity to play enough.
Vladislav Odinokov
Forward, 203 cm, 21 years old, Khimki
The forward from Tula spent his whole life in a club near Moscow and gradually moved towards the main team. Odinokov himself funny told how he first came to the Khimki match in 2012 and got the opportunity to take a picture with Timofey Mozgov, and now he doesn’t know how best to address the center - on “you” or “you”.
Then life accelerated: in the fall, Odinokov played 18 and 26 minutes in matches with Zalgiris and Real Madrid in the Euroleague, scored 11 points in both, and by the end of the season put forward his candidacy for the NBA draft.
Spivak: “He has a good size and is quite mobile for this size. Again, Bazarevich, if we are talking about the national team, loves such mobile “big”, but I can’t say that he has any special skill. They started talking about him after he played several times in Khimki, when no one could / did not want to leave because of all sorts of problems. Now Khimki is gone, that is, it will go to Superleague-1, where tactical basketball is much less. I have global doubts about how much you can add in skill in the Super League, even though young people get more playing time than anywhere else. I hope that Odinokov will refute my skepticism.”
Stepan Gontar
Center, 212 cm, 19 years old, Nizhny Novgorod
Gontar came to basketball in Krasnoyarsk and visited the school of both CSKA and Khimki. He began his professional career in Slovenia, where he played for Iliria, which was coached by Doncic's father, and then for Zlatorog. As part of the Slovenian Cedevity-Olympia, he took part in the Euroleague youth tournament in the 19/20 season.
Last August, he signed a 4-year contract with Nizhny Novgorod. Last season, he appeared only in 4 matches of the main team, but took bronze in the youth league and entered the symbolic team of the tournament.
Spivak: “Amazing size, amazing body. Indeed, his mobility and especially jumping ability with such a body is very impressive. He is such a rim protector, he has a desire to secure under the ring, to cover the opponent, he jumps great for his size. I think that he has a great prospect, also because he works at Nizhny. Well, playing time, I think, will be regularly received next season. He catches on very quickly. Working with Mozgov at these training camps refreshed him a lot. At the same time, he also needs to work on defense, including individual defense under the basket (sparring with Mozgov showed this), and on pick-and-rolls. And you need to add skills to the attack: it would be nice if he added a long-range throw and a medium one (he doesn’t have an average one either).
On defense he is a rim protector, on offense he flies great after a pick-and-roll to the alley-up, but without a throw it will be difficult for him. He needs to work on it."
Lazarev: “Gontar played in the Slovenian championship. He not only has a height of 212, but also a good shot, dribbling (he knows how to beat in the field), a very good understanding of the game. It can be seen that he has already played with the men somewhere, wiped himself off. I hope that he will get his playing practice. For young people, this is the most important thing.”
Maxim Karvanen
Power forward, 203 cm, 21 years old, Zenit
Another pupil of Anatoly Steinbock. Karvanen first got into the Zenith system in 2016. After one year in CSKA-Junior in season-18/19he played for Zenit-2 in Superleague-2 and Zenit-M in the United Youth League. And finally signed with the main team last year.
So far, Karvanen has only made his debut in the VTB League in the match against Kalev.
Dmitry Bazarevich, scout of the Russian national team : “Very athletic, mobile. Good speed and serial jumping ability. Outperforms most of the players on the court in speed, due to which he can score easy points in a fast break.
Good jumping ability allows you to collect a lot of rebounds in both offense and defense. Max has trained a lot this season, but played little. This is both a plus and a minus. There was an opportunity to pay attention to those details that are hard to pay attention to during a busy season, but due to which you can take your game to a new level.
Max needs more playing time to consolidate the skills he has been working so hard on this season."
Alexander Petenev
Defender, 197 cm, 20 years old, Avtodor
Petenev started playing in Kamen-on-Ob and by 2016 got into Avtodor Saratov's system. His debut for the main team took place in the 17/18 season, when he came out in a match with Krasnodar Lokomotiv.
Petenev gained fame thanks to his levitation abilities - in 2020 he became the champion of the dunk contest at the VTB League All-Star Game, in 2021 he lost in the final of the competition to Tice Battle.
Spivak: “Very athletic, long arms, high jump, the desire to score from above over a person is rare for a Russian player, and even more so for a young player. These are his pluses. Plus, the desire to defend himself, due to the length of his arms, he can do it.
But he doesn't have a stable throw. I know that he is working on this component. Maybe there will be something next season. Well, like other Avtodor players, there are gaps in the tactical understanding of basketball. In fact, he was used by all Avtodor coaches as a role player - to defend in the second or third position, and, perhaps, that's all, because he can hardly claim anything in these positions without a throw.
Alexander Chadov
Power forward, 202 cm, 19 years old, Nizhny Novgorod
Grew up in a basketball family: father Alexander Chadov Sr.
played for Ural Great, mother Natalia Krasnoperova played for Udmurt Izp- University.” Chadov took shape as a basketball player in Nizhny Novgorod and at some point thought about where to continue his career - CSKA and UNICS claimed him. But in the end, in 2019, he signed a five-year contract with his hometown team. For the past two years, Chadov has settled on the far end of the Nizhny Novgorod bench, but is gradually gaining Lukich's trust.
Spivak: “Not the most beautiful technique in the world, but occasionally it hits. Very busy picking. Plus, he is a great fighter, he understands what is required of him, and Zoran Lukic loves him for this. Gets some minutes in Nizhny Novgorod.
Everything looks like it will always be like this. Visually, there is a feeling that it has a ceiling. On the other hand, people with a visual ceiling like Semyon Antonov are still some of the best Russian basketball players, so you can’t give up on him.
He needs to improve in individual protection, in footwork.
On the first step, almost anyone beats him both in the third position and in the fourth. Individual defense is something that can add minutes to him in Nizhny Novgorod as well. But it seems inevitable."
Mikhail Belenitsky
Defender, 202 cm, 18 years old, Nizhny Novgorod
So far, he is known mainly for his performances at the junior level - at the U18 European Championship and at the Junior Junior League, where he was included in the symbolic team of the Final Eight. In 2019signed with Nizhny Novgorod, but underwent knee surgery and appeared in the main team in three matches in the 19/20 season and three in the 20/21 season.
Spivak: “Belenitsky has an excellent size for the position of the first number - he has more than two meters. However, it is quite mobile. Again, all last season he was treated at Nizhny Novgorod. We need to look at him healthy - how he can withstand the level of training at Nizhny, which is almost more intense than games.
And accordingly add under this level. Because if you go through hardening with these trainings, then nothing is scary anymore. You are destined to progress.
I don’t really understand what he had with a long-range throw, there was nothing grandiose. But, of course, he has a talent in terms of understanding the game, and if he is healthy, if he improves, then a pair of rear Belenitsky-Kardanakhishvili is something that can become a feature of the Russian team in a few years. Especially under the guidance of a great Russian point guard in the past.
Again super interesting how he will spend the next season at Nizhny. He'll definitely get a chance there."
Alexander Shcherbenev
Point guard, 190 cm, 20 years old, Uralmash
The son of a basketball player grew up in Krasnodar and made his debut at all possible levels with Lokomotiv. In 2019, Shcherbenev became a participant in an unexpected exchange - he moved to Spartak-Primorye after Lokomotiv decided to replace him with Grigory Motovilov, who showed himself great in the national team.
Shcherbenev also spent the last season on loan - already at Uralmash, with which he won Superleague silver as the second point guard.
Spivak : “I think his strongest point is his character. He has a fearlessness that is not very common among our young players. And leadership qualities, he is a vocal leader in any team he plays for. He had a good last season in the Super League, he actively took over there, despite the fact that people in the Super League are mostly 30+, especially in his team. But again, it is not clear how much a player can be added in the Super League from the point of view of organization, and Shcherbenev, as the first number, needs this. Well, he, in my opinion, does not have such tenacity, which is necessary for the first numbers in defense, the first who do not have an outstanding size. I think he needs to improve his defensive mobility.
In terms of decision-making, there is work to be done. But he is very hardworking and determined to constantly improve himself.
Plus an adequate person in itself, with whom it is pleasant to communicate. I think the coaches enjoy working with him."
Zakhar Vedischev
Guard, 197 cm, 20, Utah State University
Shot at the 2019 European U19 Championships, where the Russian team finished fifth. Vedischev took on the role of top scorer (16.5 points) and opened up in the playoffs - 24 points in the game against the USA, 22 and 9assists against Serbia, 22 points against Puerto Rico.
Club career is a mess. In the 19/20 season, he moved to the Lithuanian Nevezys, but left by December and returned to Lokomotiv. In the 20/21 season, he went to Utah State University, but came to Russia in the winter...
Dmitry Bazarevich: “A very confident shooter. He showed that he can shoot with excellent percentage and be useful. Due to his confidence, he is very strong with adults and is ready to prove his abilities at the highest level. Should add to the defense, mainly due to desire.
In adult basketball, it can become a target for an attack, for which you must be ready.
Spivak: “He has a desire to take the initiative and some experience of it at the youth level. But I think he needs to end this endless search for his team, his coach. I think that because of his difficult nature, it is difficult to work with a coach. And what he scored at youth level will continue to be harder and harder to score because of his shooting technique. It’s even interesting whether he can spend a full season in one team and show that he is progressing, because so far these are some fragments of games, fragments of training, from which it is impossible to draw any deep conclusions.
Egor Sytnikov
Guard, 193 cm, 18, Cedevita-Olympia
Like a number of young Russian players, Sytnikov is trying to find himself in professional basketball in Slovenia. Last season, he signed a new 4-year contract with Cedevita and played last season in the second Slovenian league for Iliria, averaging 11.
1 points with 45% from the distance.
Dmitry Bazarevich: “Sytnikov is a shooter. Good anthropometric data for number 2, stable throw (long and medium). Mobile and creative. Well can create a space for a throw. Should work on his best skills as they will help him reach the next level. It is necessary to add in aggression at both ends of the site. As shown by the viewing camp, should be more active and sociable. Sometimes he seemed inconspicuous in training.
Egor left early to play abroad, and in terms of independence and development as a player, this is a big plus. He also showed that he has a stable shot and good attacking qualities (both in the youth Euroleague and in the Slovenian championship). Such a player will be useful in any team, but he still needs playing experience, as he did not play so many games during the seasons that he was in Slovenia.
Vladislav Yemchenko
Point guard, 198 cm, 21 years old, Lokomotiv
Yemchenko himself notes the trend - he has never won anything at the youth level.
But the gradual development of local youth pushed the Krasnodar club to change its philosophy. In the 20/21 season, Lokomotiv began to trust the pupils more, and the point guard began to get good minutes in matches with teams from the bottom half of the table.
Spivak : “Good size for the position. Plus, it shows some basic level of pick-and-roll play. That is, he can be this “triple threat”. In any case, last season, when he was not particularly scouted, he showed something. If he gets more minutes next season, it will probably be harder for him to do it.
Again, part of Lokomotiv's policy is to trust the young, so I think Yemchenko will get certain minutes in the future. It seems to have been a good trend last season. He has such a calmness of the first number, a certain self-confidence. He defends well on his feet, and in general his basic technique is at a good level. But you need to understand how much he can add speed and how much he can regularly show what he showed in segments last season.
You need to understand how stable it can be in the performance of these components.”
Yaroslav Nyagu
Center, 211 cm, 17 years old, Lokomotiv
Another young hope of Krasnodar.
Spivak: “Strengths are size. He has 212, dad is huge. When he fills this frame of his, I think he will have a very good body. Plus, he has a good gaming intelligence, but that's all at our level. Last year, Lokomotiv played the youth Euroleague, and there it became clear that Nyagu lacked athleticism, now, in any case, they doubled on him, and he lost the ball. A skill, a trick in a post, some kind of discount - nothing: Nyagu is on this list because of the size. It's a very long-term perspective."
Viktor Lakhin
Forward/Center, 208 cm, 19 years old, Cincinnati
From the age of 14, he “cooked” in the youth projects of CSKA, moved to the NCAA last summer. He showed himself at the 2019 U18 European Championship, where he averaged 9.
8 points and 7 rebounds in 16 minutes on the court.
Spivak: “Last season he was in Cincinnati, in the NCAA, but he didn't play. In the upcoming, too, it seems that he is preparing to perform there. He has 208 cm, a very large arm span, he has a desire to give a good pass. For myself, I always compared him with Khryapa.
But again, he didn't play last season. It is not clear what can be expected from him at all. The NCAA and the body mean there's every chance of getting noticed."
Pavel Zakharov
Center, 213 cm, 19 years old, CBU
Zakharov appeared in the youth teams of Zenit and CSKA, and also performed well at the 2018 European U18 Championship. After that, he moved to the Montverde Academy in Florida, where they create optimal conditions, especially for foreigners, to adapt to university basketball.
Zakharov was very highly rated in the summer of 2019, at the same time he even participated in the Basketball Without Borders camp as part of the NBA All-Star Game, and went to Gonzaga, a university legendary in basketball terms, which has recently been targeting foreign youth.
In Gonzaga, Zakharov was not very lucky with playing time - in the second season it even decreased due to increased competition. But he was close to becoming an NCAA champion: his college reached the finals, but lost, breaking the winning streak of 31 games.
He transferred this spring and will now play for California Baptist University.
247sports.com: “Not explosively athletic, but very mobile and coordinated. You need to gain weight and muscle mass. Good at catching balls and finishing attacks. It has a good pass and a soft brush. Effective in both low post and high post. He tries to give all the best in defense, but can add in this component. The potential seems huge – could go in the first round.”
Slipperstillfits.com: “In his rare matches, Zakharov has shown a vast attacking arsenal for which he is highly regarded: he has all the qualities to help Gonzaga.
He showed that he has good hands, that he can finish attacks in the paint, that he has enough athleticism to play fast basketball, and at the same time he can pass from the mustache, which is very important for the "big" Gonzaga .
Size is its biggest asset. If he continues to work on his body, gains confidence and understands the team's defensive schemes, he will be trusted with more playing time in Gonzaga's busy front line."
Vladislav Goldin
Center, 212 cm, 20 years old, University of Texas Tech
Grew up in the youth teams of CSKA. In 2019, he moved to Putnam Science Academy, a prep school in Connecticut. And last summer he became a TexasTech University player.
Goldin was highly praised at the start of the season - for his soft hand, for good execution of free throws, for mobility with such dimensions and composure on the floor. The coach even insisted that he was a ready-made basketball player and a future professional, but in the course of the first season, Goldin only appeared on the floor in 10 matches and spent very little time.
Spivak : “Goldin is healthy, he's 212-213, he didn't play much at the University of Texas. When he left, there were practically no skills.
