Nine members of the media have already selected their rosters for the first-ever VTB United League All-Star Game. Here are the early voting results, which could still see significant change.
| Russian Stars | ||
| Backcourt | ||
| Player | Team | Votes |
| Dmitry Khvostov | Lokomotiv-Kuban | 9 |
| Alexey Shved | Khimki | 9 |
| Ivan Strebkov | Nizhny Novgorod | 7 |
| Evgeny Voronov | UNICS | 5 |
| Sergey Bykov | Avtodor | 5 |
| Anton Ponkrashov | UNICS | 3 |
| Evgeny Kolesnikov | Avtodor | 3 |
| Maxim Grigoryev | Nizhny Novgorod | 2 |
| Maxim Kolyushkin | Avtodor | 1 |
| Evgeny Baburin | Lokomotiv-Kuban | 1 |
| Artem Vikhrov | Zenit | 1 |
| Sergei Chernov | Parma | 1 |
| Vasily Zavoruev | Enisey | 1 |
| Ivan Ukhov | Parma | 1 |
| Alexey Vzdykhalkin | Enisey | 1 |
| Frontcourt | ||
| Player | Team | Votes |
| Sergey Karasev | Zenit | 9 |
| Andrei Zubkov | Lokomotiv-Kuban | 8 |
| Sergey Monia | Khimki | 8 |
| Andrei Vorontsevich | CSKA | 6 |
| Viktor Khryapa | CSKA | 6 |
| Nikita Kurbanov | CSKA | 6 |
| Petr Gubanov | Nizhny Novgorod | 4 |
| Artem Klimenko | UNICS | 4 |
| Alexander Vinnik | Parma | 3 |
| Vadim Panin | UNICS | 2 |
| Vladislav Trushkin | Enisey | 2 |
Russian Stars: Guards
Alexey Shved (Khimki) and Dmitry Khvostov (Lokomotiv-Kuban) are irreplaceable right now in Russian basketball. Every member of the media voted for the nation’s most exciting player and the national team’s starting point guard.
Who could have believed that 3rd place in the voting would go to a player who was last on CSKA’s bench only a few years ago? Ivan Strebkov is enjoying a breakout season with Nizhny Novgorod and now he’s on the cusp of earning a trip to the All-Star Game!
Veterans Evgeny Voronov (UNICS) and Sergey Bykov (Avtodor) represent the old guard. Combined, they are averaging about eight points per game, but journalists, just like the fans, aren’t as worried about stats when discussing players who have done so much for Russian basketball.
Anton Ponkrashov (UNICS), who’s recovering from injury and would love to make the All-Star Game, and Evgeny Kolesnikov (Avtodor), who finished 3rd in fan voting (behind Shved and Karasev), are battling for the 6th and final spot.
The next-closest contender is 21-year-old Ivan Ukhov of Parma. The League’s top contender for Young Player of the Year got a vote from famous commentator Vladimir Gomelsky.
Russian Stars: Forwards
Sergey Karasev’s return to Zenit from the NBA has been very successful. The young forward has only played in seven games, but he’s made a big impression on the court and is an unanimous pick right now for Sochi.
December MVP Andrei Zubkov and Khimki captain Sergey Monia share 2nd place. Surprisingly, some voters chose not to select the Lokomotiv-Kuban and Khimki stars.
There’s stiff competition between CSKA’s frontcourt. Someone from the trio of Viktor Khryapa, Andrei Vorontsevich and Nikita Kurbanov will miss out on the All-Star Game. After all, no more than two players from one club can be on a team. Who will be the odd man out?
Petr Gubanov (Nizhny Novgorod), Artem Klimenko (UNICS) and Alexander Vinnik (Parma) will likely compete for the final spot on the Russian Stars. All three players are centers, where there’s a shortage of depth.
Russian Stars: Dmitry Khvostov (Lokomotiv-Kuban), Alexey Shved (Khimki), Evgeny Voronov (UNICS), Ivan Strebkov (Nizhny Novgorod), Sergey Bykov (Avtodor), Anton Ponkrashov (UNICS)/Anatoly Kolesnikov (Avtodor), Sergey Karasev (Zenit), Andrei Zubkov (Lokomotiv-Kuban), Sergey Monia (Khimki), Viktor Khryapa/Andrei Vorontsevich/Nikita Kurbanov (CSKA, only 2/3 to make it), Petr Gubanov (Nizhny Novgorod).
| World Stars | ||
| Guards | ||
| Player | Team | Votes |
| Milos Teodosic | CSKA | 9 |
| Keith Langford | UNICS | 9 |
| Nando De Colo | CSKA | 7 |
| Ryan Toolson | Zenit | 5 |
| Taylor Rochestie | Lokomotiv-Kuban | 5 |
| Danilo Andjusic | Parma | 4 |
| Stefan Markovic | Zenit | 3 |
| Michael Stockton | Avtodor | 3 |
| Janis Blums | VEF | 3 |
| Demonte Harper | Kalev | 2 |
| Tony Taylor | Enisey | 2 |
| Rain Veideman | Kalev | 1 |
| Dru Joyce | Tsmoki-Minsk | 1 |
| Frontcourt | ||
| Player | Team | Votes |
| Janis Timma | Zenit | 9 |
| Nick Minnerath | Avtodor | 8 |
| DeAndre Kane | Nizhny Novgorod | 7 |
| Frank Elegar | Enisey | 5 |
| Ryan Broekhoff | Lokomotiv-Kuban | 4 |
| Nobel Boungou-Colo | Khimki | 4 |
| Artsiom Parakhouski | UNICS | 4 |
| Latavious Williams | UNICS | 3 |
| Jeremy Evans | Khimki | 3 |
| Ousman Krubally | Astana | 2 |
| Kyle Hines | CSKA | 2 |
| Mardy Collins | Lokomotiv-Kuban | 2 |
World Stars: Guards
No one could fathom an All-Star Game without Milos Teodosic (CSKA) and Keith Langford (UNICS), though Nando De Colo (CSKA) only received seven of nine votes. Rest assured, the Frenchman will make it to Sochi anyway.
There’s a fierce battle for the final three spots. Ryan Toolson (Zenit), Taylor Rochestie (Lokomotiv-Kuban) and Danilo Andjusic (Parma) have a slight advantage, but there’s a large group in pursuit: one of the League’s top passers, Stefan Markovic (Zenit), the top three-point shooter, Janis Blums (VEF), John Stockton’s son, Michael (Avtodor), Kalev’s versatile star Demonte Harper, and Enisey leader Tony Taylor.
Dru Joyce (Tsmoki-Minsk) and Rain Veideman (Kalev) also each received one vote, giving them a chance of a spot on the team.
World Stars: Forwards
Latvia’s Janis Timma (Zenit) has had some sensational games, is one of the League’s most athletic talents, a fan favorite and a star on one of the best teams. Not surprisingly, he’s a unanimous pick for Sochi. Even Nick Minnerath (Avtodor) can’t say the same, picking up eight votes with his eye-popping stats.
DeAndre Kane is in 3rd place. Nizhny Novgorod has struggled on the court, but the American has drawn attention with his exciting, productive brand of basketball.
Enisey center Frank Elegar is next. The media couldn’t ignore the League’s top rebounder.
Ryan Broekhoff (Lokomotiv-Kuban), Nobel Boungou-Colo (Khimki) and Artsiom Parakhouski (UNICS) will battle for two remaining spots. Whether the World Stars decide to focus on perimeter shooting or bulk up on size and paint play will depend a lot on these selections.
There are several more players in the mix: Jeremy Evans (Khimki), Ousman Krubally (Astana), Mardy Collins (Lokomotiv-Kuban) and Latavious Williams (UNICS) all have a chance of playing in Sochi.
World Stars: Milos Teodosic (CSKA), Keith Langford (UNICS), Nando De Colo (CSKA), Ryan Toolson (Zenit), Taylor Rochestie (Lokomotiv-Kuban), Danilo Andjusic (Parma), Janis Timma (Zenit), Nick Minnerath (Avtodor), DeAndre Kane (Nizhny Novgorod), Frank Elegar (Enisey), Ryan Broekhoff (Lokomotiv-Kuban)/Nobel Boungou-Colo (Khimki)/Artsiom Parakhouski (UNICS) (2 of 3 will make it).
