Shortly before the All-Star Game 2022, the VTB United League Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held. 5 iconic people for the League became Hall of Fame members.
PLAYERS
Branko Mirkovic
Teams: Tsmoki-Minsk (2013-16, 2019-20), Kalev (2016-19)
All-Star Game 2020 participant, Tsmoki-Minsk leader in assists (450), 9th in the League in total points (1811), 4th in the League in assists (773), 4th in the League in 3-pointers made (336).
The Serbian point guard spent 7 bright seasons in the League, playing in Tsmoki and Kalev. In the 2018/19 season, Mirkovic helped Kalev to reach the playoffs for the first time in the team’s history. The guard played for the World Stars team and took part in the 3-Point Contest in the All-Star Game 2020 in Moscow. Mirkovic lacked only 4 assists to enter the Top-3 best assistants in the United League history.
Konstantinos Kaimakoglou
Team: UNICS (2012-21)
2-time League’s vice-champion (2016, 2021), 2-time League’s bronze medalist (2014, 2019), UNICS record holder in the number of League games (135).
The Greek forward is UNICS legend. He spent his entire career in the United League in the Kazan team, becoming UNICS leader in games played in the League (135). Kaimakoglu reached the League finals twice (2016 and 2021) and twice helped his team win the bronze medals (2014 and 2019). Kostas finished his career at UNICS in 2021 and joined the coaching staff of the Kazan team in the 2021/22 season.
COACH
Vasily Karasev
Teams: Triumph (2012-14), Zenit (2014-18)
3-time VTB League bronze medalist (2016-18), the 4th coach in total wins in the VTB League history (122 wins).
In each of his 7 seasons in the League, the Russian coach took his teams to the playoffs and led Zenit to the bronze medals 3 times (2016-18). At the time of inclusion in the Hall of Fame, Vasily Karasev is the Top-5 coaches of the League in total of games played (183) and is the 4th in total wins (122).
FUNCTIONARY
Alexander Khairetdinov
Team: Nizhny Novgorod (2011-21)
Nizhny Novgorod team founder, the League’s vice-champion (2014).
Alexander Khairetdinov played the key role in the development of professional basketball in Nizhny Novgorod Region. In 2000, with his participation, NBA club was founded, which in 2008 was named Nizhny Novgorod. In all subsequent years, Alexander Khairetdinov was invariably a member of the team’s management and was the General Manager. He passed away on June 20, 2021 at the age of 66.
COMMENTATOR
Ivan Urgant
Ivan Urgant became the host of the first All-Star Game in League history, which was in Sochi in 2017. He was the permanent host of the United League All-Star Games from 2017 to 2021, complementing the basketball show with funny jokes.
For the first time, the VTB United League Hall of Fame was presented the day before the 2019 All-Star Game at the VTB League Awards Night. It includes 10 famous players and coaches. In 2020, 5 more players and functionaries entered the Hall of Fame, in 2021 – 3 players and commentators.
