With the VTB United League season just around the corner, teams and players are ready to take the stage. It’s time for new stars to burst onto the scene and for younger players to chase their dreams.
For those in their early 20s, there’s a lot at stake. In America, it means the end of college and tough decisions about where to play next, whether in the USA or abroad. In Europe, it’s time to prove you belong at the highest level after graduating from junior ball and putting in countless hours of practice.
Of course, there are always exceptions. At the tender age of 23, Sergey Karasev is already a star in Europe. Artem Klimenko, too, has been a major contributor in Saratov for years now. But for many, ages 22 and 23 are when they discover what the future holds.
Exclusive for VTB-League.com, Konstantin Kucher highlight five young players that will try to break through to the next level in the upcoming season.
Ilya Gromovs
Age: 23
Team: VEF (Latvia)
Expected role: Starting center
VEF hasn’t signed a single foreign player to the frontcourt yet. It appears that Riga is banking on homegrown talent, including 23-year-old prospect Ilya Gromovs.
The young center made his VTB League debut last season and showed promise, earning regular minutes by the end of the campaign. The Latvian national team took notice and Gromovs almost made the EuroBasket roster thanks to a strong showing in camp.
He’ll have more opportunities to show what he can do in 2017-18. With Martins Meiers moving to Kazan, Gromovs is expected to start at center for Riga. Expect him to take full advantage. He’s already a talented defender and rebounder. Now he’s looking to add some offense to his game.
Janari Joesaar
Age: 23
Team: Kalev (Estonia)
Expected role: Team leader
Kalev often serves as a trampoline for players on the rise, helping them jump to bigger clubs. The Estonians know where to find talent on the verge of a breakout season and Joesaar could be yet another success story to come from Tallinn.
The 23-year-old forward played in Champions League and FIBA Cup qualifying last season with Tartu, before debuting with the national team during World Championships pre-qualifying.
He looks ready for the VTB League. Janari was impressive in exhibition games and helped Kalev pick up a win in the first round of Champions League qualifying. Playing against Sokoli, the young forward collected 18 points and seven rebounds. He’s always a threat on offense and should be a worthy replacement for Vitali Liutych, who left for Krasnoyarsk over the summer.
Mikhail Kulagin
Age: 23
Team: CSKA (Russia)
Expected role: Back-up point guard
Kulagin debuted for the Russian national team at EuroBasket in September, earning a roster spot thanks to his play in exhibition games. He’s shown tremendous potential. Now it’s time to break through at the club level in 2017-18.
Frenchman Leo Westermann will be his primary competition for playing time at CSKA. Kulagin showed flashes last season in individual games and will have even more opportunities this season. CSKA’s loaded schedule should also work to his advantage as Dimitris Itoudis looks to keep everyone fresh and healthy by spreading out minutes. Count on solid minutes for Kulagin in the VTB United League with the potential to earn even more with his play.
Matic Rebec
Age: 22
Team: Enisey (Russia)
Expected role: Starting guard
When Enisey signed Rebec in early September, no one could have predicted he would go on to win gold at EuroBasket. The Slovenian prospect didn’t play much, especially during elimination games, stuck behind MVP Goran Dragic and All-EuroBasket guard Luka Doncic. But he received invaluable experience from Slovenia’s championship run.
It’s hard to say, though, where he fits at Enisey. The competition in the backcourt is going to be insane with Rebec, Hilliard, Liutych, Zavoruev, Zakharov, Dowdell and Pichkurov battling for minutes.
On the other hand, it’s a great chance to show to what he can do. Three years ago, he was named to the youth EuroBasket all-tournament team alongside Vezenkov, Osman, Jankovic and Hernangomez. With the exception of Rebec, everyone on that squad has already made an impact at the pro level.
Now it’s Rebec’s turn to live up to his early billing. He’s got talent, from running the fast break to his court vision to his ability to make tough passes look easy. But he’s best known for his three-point shooting. Check out this clip.
Ivan Ukhov
Age: 22
Team: Parma (Russia)
Expected role: Leading scorer
Parma was busy in the offseason. After a disappointing inaugural season, the front office took an aggressive approach to free agency, adding Frank Gaines, Cody Miller-McIntyre and the experienced Alexey Vzdykhalkin in the backcourt.
Based on the preseason, however, Ukhov is ready to rise to the challenge. The young Russian has looked comfortable with his new teammates, proving how dangerous he can be when Parma pushes the pace to go with deadly three-point shooting.
Ukhov’s star is on the rise. He won the League’s Young Player of the Year award last season and picked up an invitation to Russia’s Open Camp over the summer. He even competed for the national team at the BRICS tournament. At a recent exhibition tourney in Liepaja, where Parma took down Kalev and VEF, Ukhov was named the best player on Perm’s roster.
Luckily for Parma fans, he’s got even more room to improve. Let’s hope Parma picks up a few more win in 2017-18 with Ukhov’s explosive offense and barrage of 3-pointers leading the way.
Bonus
Alexander Zakharov
Age: 24
Team: Nizhny Novgorod
Expected role: Leading scorer
Alexander Zakharov has been one of the biggest surprises during the Nizhny Novgorod preseason. He turned 23 in June after enjoying a breakthrough season with Irkut in 2016-17.
Zakharov’s example shows how important it is for a player to find the right coach and team. The Irkut coaching staff had full confidence in the young forward, giving him regular playing time and the green light to shoot. Zakharov quickly became a leader on the team and helped Irkut earn silver in the Superleague.
He should also have an impact in the VTB League. There won’t be as many opportunities to score at Nizhny Novgorod, but Zakharov will be one of the team’s primary options. He can heat up from beyond the arc in a hurry and scored in double digits throughout the preseason. Let’s hope the momentum carries over to the regular season for Zakharov.
Konstantin Kucher
