After so many years at one club, it’s hard to imagine a favorite player or iconic star in another team’s jersey. But very few players ever spend their entire career at one club, especially in the European basketball world. VTB-League.com goes old-school with 18 retro shots of your favorite VTB United League players.
Victor Khryapa (CSKA) at Avtodor (2000-02)
The CSKA legend and captain began his pro career in Saratov, playing for Vladimir Rodionov. Thanks to his play at Avtodor, Khryapa was called up to the Russian national team, where he debuted in 2002.
Nando De Colo (CSKA) at Valencia (2009-12)
Prior to leaving for NBA, Nando De Colo was one of the biggest stars in the Spanish league. The French guard won the EuroCup with Valencia in 2010.
Sergio Rodriguez (CSKA) with the Trail Blazers (2006-09)
The Spanish guard was only 20 years old when he left for the NBA. During three seasons in Portland, he made 219 appearances (14 as a starter) in the regular season to go with five postseason appearances.
Othello Hunter (CSKA) at Azovmash (2011-12)
The American center finished up the 2011-12 season with Azovmash. He only played three games in the VTB United League, averaging 8.7 points and 8.3 rebounds.
Egor Vyaltsev (Khimki) at Ural-Great (2005-07)
22-year-old Egor Vyaltsev was once a captain and star player for Ural-Great in the mid-2000’s. Overall, he played two seasons in Perm, winning a FIBA Cup.
Charles Jenkins (Khimki) with the Warriors (2011-13)
It’s hard to believe, but Charles Jenkins started more games for the Warriors in his rookie season than Steph Curry. Curry even interviewed Jenkins on media day! Of course, a few years later, Curry was earned his first All-Star Game invite, while Jenkins made his debut in Europe.
Stephane Lasme (UNICS) with the Heat (2007-08)
Ten years ago, the Gabonian center took at a stab at the NBA. He played 15 games for the Heat that season, starting four of them, but it wasn’t enough to earn another look in the globe’s toughest league.
Aliaksandr Kudrautsau (Tsmoki-Minsk) at Gaziantep
One of the top players in Belarusian basketball history, Kudrautsau has spent several seasons abroad, including some time in Turkey. While suiting up for Gaziantep, he even played against Krasnye Krylia in the Europe Cup.
Ryan Broekhoff (Lokomotiv-Kuban) at Besiktas (2013-15)
The Australian guard was one of the best perimeter shooters in college basketball as a senior at Valparaiso, but did not get drafted. Broekhoff would initially sign in Turkey, spending two seasons with Besiktas.
Marko Simonovic (Zenit) at Alba (2011-12)
Before Marko Simonovic became a Crvena Zvezda star and debuted for the Serbian national team, he played for Alba. Simonovic averaged 6.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in Germany.
Dmitry Khvostov (Lokomotiv-Kuban) at Dynamo (2006-11)
During the mid-2000’s, a precocious teenage point guard burst onto the Russian basketball scene. Many predicted an NBA future for Dmitry Khvostov after he debuted for Dynamo Moscow at the age of 17 and suited up for the national team as a 21-year-old.
Evgeny Voronov (Zenit) at Dynamo (2010-11)
Another talented young guard also played for Dynamo during the 2010-11 season: Evgeny Voronov. He was even selected for the PBL All-Star Game in 2011.
Stefan Markovic (Khimki) at Benetton (2010-11)
Benetton was the first big club in Stefan Markovic’s career. The Serbian point guard spent one season with the popular Italian team before leaving to play in Spain.
Mardy Collins (Lokomotiv-Kuban) with the Knicks (2006-08)
Collins was the 29th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, joining the New York Knicks, where he spent two seasons competing for playing time with Quentin Richardson. He only averaged 3.7 points per game during his time in New York.
Vasily Zavoruev (Enisey) at Spartak (2008-10, 2011-13)
Not that long ago, Vasily Zavoruev was one of the biggest basketball stars in St. Petersburg. The guard spent four seasons at Spartak, and was even team captain for two seasons.
Tyler Honeycutt (Khimki) with the Kings (2011-13)
Several years ago, the Kings had big hopes for Tyler Honeycutt. In the end, however, he only played 24 games in the NBA, leaving for Europe in 2013.
Vadim Panin (Nizhny Novgorod) at Khimki (2010-11)
Vadim Panin played on Khimki’s 2010-11 championship team. He only appeared in nine games, averaging 1.3 points, but still got a gold medal.
Petr Gubanov (Nizhny Novgorod) at Enisey (2012-13)
Petr Gubanov was Enisey’s starting center in 2013. After a solid season in Krasnoyarsk, he earned a promotion to Nizhny Novgorod.
