Welcome to the official 2016-17 VTB United League season preview. The 8th edition of the League features 13 clubs from five nations and a 24-game schedule. At the end of the regular season, the top eight teams will advance to the postseason.
Part I of our preview takes an in-depth look at the clubs that will be battling for the final playoff spots. Can these teams exceed expectations and make life difficult for the League’s acknowledged favorites?
Tsmoki-Minsk Belarus
Last Season
12th place (9-21)
Acquisitions
Dru Joyce, Djordje Gagic, Nemanja Milosevic, Aliaksei Trastsinetski, Laimonas Kisielius, Nikita Mescheriakov
Offseason
The Dragons were reborn over the summer, bringing in a new crop of foreign players (Justin Gray was the only one to remain) and revamping the club’s marketing department, while moving most of the team’s games from the 14,000-seat Minsk Arena to the more intimate Falcon Club. Tsmoki-Minsk is ready for a reset. The team expects to have a stable campaign, something it has struggled to do in the past.
The Belarusian champions are gunning for their first-ever spot in the postseason, while also looking to secure a spot in the FIBA Champions League group stage. The team took its first step in that direction earlier this week, defeating Bulgaria’s Rilski over two games. Next up is Israeli club Ironi Nahariya.
Leader
Fan favorite Justin Gray is easy to count on. He works hard in practice, gives everything he has on the court, and never gives up. Even better, the experienced guard is always positive and upbeat with the media, helping give Tsmoki a positive image. The American does a good job of running the offense and isn’t afraid to take charge. That’s why the coaching staff trusts Gray with the ball and turns to him in clutch moments. Even the top teams in the League know about the guard’s penchant for knocking down clutch shots.
Newcomer
It’s no exaggeration to say that Dru Joyce is a familiar name to basketball fans around the globe. A close childhood friend of LeBron James, the duo played together at St. Vincent-St. Mary in high school. Unlike James, however, Joyce’s pro career didn’t start until after college. He didn’t make it to the NBA, but found success in Europe, especially in the Polish and German leagues.
Despite moving abroad, Joyce remains friends with James, appearing in the movie More Than A Game and earning compliments from the King after big games. Joyce keeps James busy, having earned a reputation as a crafty passer and dangerous sniper.
Stat
1319 – number of assists handed out by Dru Joyce in the German league, surpassing Pascal Roller, Steffen Hamann, and Immanuel McElroy to become the Bundesliga’s all-time leader.
Expected Starting Lineup
Dru Joyce, Aliaksandr Kudrautsau, Laimonas Kisielius, Nemanja Milosevic, Djordje Gagic
Enisey Russia
Last Season
10th place (11-19)
Acquisitions
Frank Elegar, Maalik Wayns, Andrey Koshcheev, Igor Kanygin, Vladislav Trushkin, Alexander Martynov, Vasily Zavoruev, Sergei Mitusov, Suleiman Braimoh
Offseason
Krasnoyarsk sought the right balance of experience and youth during the offseason to address a chronically inbalanced roster. It seems to have worked. The team’s promising young domestic talent can get help from Koshcheev and Zavoruev. Meanwhile, the team’s new foreign acquisitions will be able to turn to VTB veterans Elegar (remember his time at Kalev?!) and Tony Taylor. Oleg Okulov has also attempted to balance the coaching staff, bringing in assistant Sergei Vasiliev, with whom he worked at Ural. Thus far, Krasnoyarsk appears to be making all the right moves.
Leader
One simple stat illustrates Tony Taylor’s importance to this team: Krasnoyarsk lost five of six games without him in the preseason. He’s the alpha and the omega at Enisey, performing a lion’s share of the work on offense. He used to be seen as a pass-first playmaker, but the new Taylor attacks the basket, generates fast breaks, and isn’t afraid to take a big shot. It’s no exaggeration to say he’s worth half the team and it won’t come as a surprise if his role expands throughout the season.
Newcomer
Anyone who tracked the League from 2012-15 knows about Frank Elegar, the double-double machine. The versatile, 208-cm forward was never afraid to get dirty at Kalev, making him worth his weight in gold to the front office. Elegar did a lot to make that team competitive and went on to play in Italy and Turkey’s top leagues. Now Elegar is headed back to the League, where he should be one of the biggest stars in Krasnoyarsk. Playing alongside Taylor, the big man will thrive on the pick-and-roll.
Stat
15 – Suleiman Braimoh’s age when he began seriously pursuing basketball. As a child in Nigeria, he only played soccer, but a move to the USA in 2001 got him hooked on basketball. It took him three years, however, to take the sport seriously. Nonetheless, he was a quick learner, moving to Krasnoyarsk from the competitive German league.
Expected Starting Lineup
Tony Taylor, Maalik Wayns, Vasily Zavoruev, Suleiman Braimoh, Frank Elegar
Parma Russia
Last Season
VTB United League newcomers
Acquisitions
Alexander Platunov, Nikita Barinov, Danilo Andjusic
Offseason
Big-time basketball is back in Perm, a huge accomplishment for the club and the city. Fans around the League have fond memories of Perm’s glory days and it would be wonderful to see the sport catch fire here once again like it did with Ural-Great. There are promising signs: The club won the Russian Cup in the spring and hopes to be competitive in the League.
Parma was given an opportunity: How will the team take advantage? Judging by the team’s activity on the transfer market, there may be some challenges ahead. The roster has barely changed from last year’s Superleague team and most of the players are from the city’s basketball academy. To Perm’s credit, they understand what they are getting into and promise to accelarate the learning curve so that they can be competitive as soon as possible.
Given the club’s passionate support at home, don’t be surprised if Parma gets that historic first win sooner rather than later.
Leader
Sergei Chernov led the team in scoring last season, but that’s not his only leadership quality. The forward’s competitive drive and effort earn him automatic respect, even without considering all the little things he does to help his team win on a nightly basis. A quality rebounder and passer, Chernov also knows his job on defense, disrupting opposing offenses with his intelligence. He’s practically irreplaceable at Parma and is a huge favorite among the fans.
Newcomer
Parma signed its first foreign player on September 17, bringing in Serbian guard Danilo Andjusic. The versatile shooting guard moved north after a season with Poland’s Anvil. He’s also played in Spain, Italy, and Serbia. Given his experience, Andjusic will be expected to be a leader and key player. But can Andjusic handle the pressure he will be under at his new club?
Stat
7 – number of years Perm has been without elite basketball. The city expects to lead the League in attendance and the energy in the arena should be terrific, just like Ural-Great years ago. One thing is for certain: Perm fans know how to support a team and cheer hard until the final horn.
Expected Starting Lineup
Maxim Dybovsky, Danilo Andjusic, Sergei Chernov, Konstantin Bulanov, Ivan Nelyubov
Kalev Estonia
Last Season
14th place (8-22)
Acquisitions
Robert Upshaw, Vitali Liutych, Demonte Harper, Alexander Gavrilov, Mark Tollefsen, Michael Gladness
Offseason
Kalev brought in athleticism and depth over the summer, without compromising speed and improving on defense. The Estonians have gotten better across the board and hope to improve dramatically on a disappointing 2015-16 campaign, which saw the team struggle to live up to its potential.
There are some concerns, however. Kalev’s head coach and several key contributors were busy most of the summer trying to earn a spot at next year’s EuroBasket, detracting from the team’s preparations. A recent loss to Valmiera in the Baltic League is evidence that Kalev has a lot of work to do. Second, captain Gregor Arbet’s recent injury will leave a big hole in experience and leadership.
Nonetheless, Kalev’s new pieces are intriguing and nobody will take the Estonians lightly this season.
Leader
Demonte Harper is legitimately one of the League’s most athletic wingmen. Muscled and quick, he can pierce even the toughest defense, whether with his shot or by drawing fouls. Some fans may remember him from his time at Tsmoki. Harper stood out for his speed and physical gifts while in Belarus, but the team’s style of play was not a good fit. He should feel much more comfortable in Tallinn. The Estonians like to push the tempo and attack on offense, an ideal setting for the slasher. As long as he can stay focused, the American will be worth every cent of his contract.
Newcomer
Let’s be honest: Kalev has never been known for defense, especially in the paint. Yes, the team can deploy an effective press and wear opponents out, but Kalev doesn’t focus on grinding out defensive wins. That could change, especially with the arrival of Michael Gladness, who has some NBA experience. While he appeared in games for the Heat and Warriors, he’s better known for his college career where he set numerous blocks records as a student. Gladness remains an elite shot-blocker at age 30. Standing 211 cm tall and weighing 104 kg, he is remarkably athletic and adept at shutting down fellow big men. The American always makes his team better on defense and has earned a reputation as a defensive specialist from Israel to China. With Gladness in the fold, expect a new approach on defense from the Estonians.
Stat
20 – 20-year-old Kalev newcomer Alexander Gavrilov has won two VTB United Youth League championships, in addition to leading the league in assists and earning an invite to the Youth All-Star Game. The former CSKA-2 captain is ready to move up in competition, but needed to leave CSKA to have a chance at significant playing time. He’s on loan to Kalev, where he will try to take the next step in his promising career.
Expected Starting Lineup
Sten Sokk, Vitali Liutych, Demonte Harper, Mark Tollefsen, Robert Upshaw
Astana Kazakhstan
Last Season
15th place (7-23)
Acquisitions
Ian Miller, Leonidas Kaselakis, Ousman Krubally, Rod Odom, Rob Lowery, Dmitry Gavrilov, Vadim Shcherbak, Dmitry Klimov
Offseason
Astana added eight (!) players this summer, deciding to go in a very new direction. After head coach Ramunas Butautas left the club, new boss Ilias Papatheodoru wanted a fresh start in Astana and the front office accepted, helping the Greek build a roster packed with speed and athleticism.
Papatheodoru’s lack of interest in players over 28 is understandable. He’s had success with the Greek youth teams in recent years, coaching Greece’s U-18 squad to gold at the 2015 European championships.
Leader
Rob Lowery left a positive impression at VEF, helping spark the Black-White offense with his relentless energy after joining midway through the 2014-15 campaign. He’s fearless and loves to attack opposing defenses in order to create space for his teammates. If VEF had boasted a little more talent and depth, Lowery could have had an even bigger impact. But he still drew attention, earning lucrative contracts in Europe after Riga. Though he didn’t have the most success in Turkey, his short stint at German club Alba was certainly positive.
Now Rob has a chance to earn the love of the Kazakh fans as he seeks to replace Astana legend Jerry Johnson.
Newcomer
28-year-old Gambia native Ousman Krubally has been around Europe, earning MVP honors in Slovenia and the second-tier Italian league. He’s also had success in England, Holland, and Greece, ranking among the top rebounders and crashing highlight reels with his dunking ability. Fans are excited about his arrival in Kazakhstan. He’s terrific in fast breaks and in the halfcourt. Papatheodoru has also noted his unselfishness and work eithic, making Krubally a key cog in Astana’s rotation.
Stat
13 – number of seasons Rustam Yargaliev has spent at Astana. That type of loyalty and devotion is incredibly rare in basketball (especially in Europe). He’s preparing for his 14th campaign, having already convinced his new coach that he can help the team.
Expected Starting Lineup
Rob Lowery, Leonidas Kaselakis, Ousman Krubally, Rod Odom, Anton Ponomarev
VEF Latvia
Last Season
11th place (11-19)
Acquisitions
Kaspars Vecvagars, Janis Blums, Kris Richard, Arnolds Helmanis, Eduards Hazners, Armands Skele, Arnas Labuckas, Ilja Gromovs, Nemanja Bezbradica, Niks Jansons, Abdul Gaddy
Offseason
The recent offseason was one of the most difficult in club history. The summer began with a shocking loss in the Latvian finals to first-time champions Valmiera. Then, VEF nearly exited the VTB United League.
But things worked out with the League and VEF intends to do everything it can to be competitive. Riga has some history, reaching the quarterfinals in the 2012-13 season. Could the team enjoy another breakthrough in 2016-17?
Leader
Latvian national team captain Janis Blums has no equal on VEF’s roster. He spent the last two seasons playing in Greece and Italy’s top divisions and remains a deadly outside shooter. Now 34 years old, he’s crafty on defense and a terrific presence in the locker room. Given his experience and leadership qualities, Blums will be a huge help to head coach Janis Gailitis on and off the court.
Newcomer
Abdul Gaddy drew comparisons to John Wall in 2009, but a serious injury doomed the guard’s NBA hopes. He ultimately moved to the Italian league, where he made big strides as a team player in two seasons with Virtus. Now Abdul will be asked to be a leader, something he has some experience with after helping lead the American youth team to a continental championship alongside Kyrie Irving.
Stat
1 – only one player returned from last season, center Martins Meiers.
Expected Starting Lineup
Kaspars Vecvagars, Abdul Gaddy, Kris Richard, Arnolds Helmanis, Martins Meiers
Dmitry Gerchikov
