What’s happening?
The first VTB United League All-Star Game, featuring the Russian Stars vs. World Stars. The match-up seems fitting, given the state of global politics. If you’re looking for more basketball, check out the KES-Basket kids game, Celebrity Game and the Rising Stars Game (VTB United Youth League vs. the Association of Student Basketball and International Student Basketball League).
When and where?
Saturday, February 11 in Sochi. All events will be held at the Bolshoi Sports Arena, which has hosted the Olympic hockey tournament, First Channel Cup and KHL All-Star Game.
Some fans may be surprised to know you can play basketball in a hockey arena, but it happens all the time. Some arenas can make the switch in a couple of hours. Lots of teams in Russia play at hockey arenas, but this is the first time the Bolshoi has undergone a complete basketball transformation. As a result, preparations took a couple of weeks. We’ll find out soon what the fans think of the “Russian Staples Center.”
How to get there?
Flying is your best. You can get a one-way ticket from Moscow for 3,000 rubles. It’s only 8.5 km from the airport to the arena (11 minutes in a taxi).
Ivan Urgant and Levan L’One Goroziya will be there to greet you.
Krasnodar fans have it even better. Taking the Lastochka train is only 912 rubles, getting you to the Olympic Park in 5 hours.
The arena address is Imeretinskaya nizmennost’, Sochi, Krasnodar Krai.
This is what it looks like on the map:
3D view:
Visitors can enjoy the waterfront and checking out the other sports facilities in the Olympic Park, built for the 2014 Olympics. Everything is within walking distance.
Who’s playing?
You’ve got Europe’s highest-paid player, Alexey Shved; the great hope of Russian basketball, Sergey Karasev; CSKA legend Victor Khryapa; Russian national team captain Sergey Bykov going up against Euroleague MVP and French national team star Nando De Colo; the League’s top scorer, Keith Langford; Latvian national team captain Janis Blums; Belarusian superstar Artsiom Parakhouski and many more.
Here’s what the rosters look like:
Russian Stars: Dmitry Khvostov (Lokomotiv-Kuban), Anton Ponkrashov (UNICS), Sergey Bykov (Avtodor), Evgeny Voronov (UNICS), Evgeny Kolesnikov (Avtodor), Alexey Shved (Khimki), Sergey Karasev (Zenit), Vladislav Trushkin (Enisey), Sergey Monia (Khimki), Victor Khryapa, Andrey Vorontsevich (CSKA), Andrey Zubkov (Lokomotiv-Kuban).
World Stars: Stefan Markovic (Zenit), Taylor Rochestie (Lokomotiv-Kuban), Danilo Andjusic (Parma), Nando De Colo (CSKA), Janis Blums (VEF), Keith Langford (UNICS), Ryan Broekhoff (Lokomotiv-Kuban), DeAndre Kane (Nizhny Novgorod), Janis Timma (Zenit), Nick Minnerath (Avtodor), Frank Elegar (Enisey), Artsiom Parakhouski (UNICS).
Will there be any contests?
Absolutely. Both the Rising Stars and All-Star Game will feature a three-point shooting and slam dunk contest.
Here are the current rosters, after a few substitutions because of injury:
Three-Point Contest: Ryan Broekhoff (Lokomotiv-Kuban), Janis Blums (VEF), Sergey Karasev (Zenit), Justin Gray (Tsmoki-Minsk), Ivan Ukhov (Parma), Demonte Harper (Kalev)
Slam Dunk Contest: Josh Adams (Avtodor), Maxim Kolyushkin (Avtodor), Janis Timma (Zenit), Frank Elegar (Enisey).
What are the uniforms like?
The Russian Stars will be in red, while the World Stars are wearing blue.
Who’s going to the game?
There’s a long list of famous guests and celebrities: VTB United League honorary president Sergei Ivanov, Russian Federation Energy Minister Alexander Novak, Russian Federation Justice Minister Alexander Konovalov, Russian Basketball Federation president Andrei Kirilenko, Russian singer Lev Leshchenko, FIBA Europe sports director Kosta Iliev, Euroleague chief operations officer Eduard Scott, executives from all the League’s clubs, famous Soviet basketball players and plenty of current players who didn’t make the roster but are going to Sochi to support teammates.
The festivities will be hosted by one of Russia’s most popular TV personalities, Ivan Urgant, who loves talking and playing basketball.
Russian hip-hop artist L’One will be performing. The Yakutsk native is obsessed with basketball, showing up at the Staples Center and dedicating courts with NBA legends. It was a no-brainer to bring him to the All-Star Game. In addition to performing, L’One will be playing in the Celebrity Game.
The FlyOgraphers Dance Team, famous for competing on TNT’s Dance show, will be performing.
Where can I buy merchandise?
At the arena. Jerseys, hoodies and lots of other All-Star Game merchandise will be on sale.
Can I still buy a ticket?
Yes, but there are only 23 tickets left in the VIP zone for 5,000 rubles. Buy tickets here before it’s too late. You can also get premium tickets for 2,000-2,500 rubles.
Where can I watch the game on TV?
The League website will broadcast the All-Star Game, while Match TV will carry the game at 8:00 PM on live delay.
Official All-Star Game schedule
9:30 – 11:10 AM – open practice with the Russian Stars and World Stars
12:00 – 1:30 PM – KES Basket youth basketball league all-star game
1:45 PM – warm-ups for the Celebrity Game
2:00 – 3:00 PM – Celebrity Game
4:00 – 6:00 PM – Rising Stars Game
6:25 – 6:55 PM – L’one concert
7:05 PM – All-Star Game opening ceremony
7:20 – 9:30 PM – All-Star Game
The Three-Point Contest will be held during the break between the 1st and 2nd quarters.
The Slam Dunk Contest will be held at halftime.
See you in Sochi!
Dmitry Kolinov
