The first month of the season has brought several surprises and unexpected results. Enisey’s 3-2 start, given the calendar, has been a revelation. Among the bright spots on the team is Vladislav Trushkin, who’s turned heads by earning a spot in the starting lineup and playing big minutes.
The young prospect was playing in the Russian Superleague last season. Now he’s a leader at Enisey in the VTB United League, averaging 8.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.2 steals coupled with tenacious defense.
Trushkin didn’t exactly come out of nowhere. People first started talking about him back in 2011, when he helped the junior national team take 3rd place at the world championships. That team’s biggest accomplishment was beating the USA in the quarterfinals, a team that included future NBA players like Jeremy Lamb, Tim Hardaway, Jr., Doug McDermott, and Meyers Leonard. Trushkin scored 14 in the 4th quarter of that game, including a huge 3-pointer.
Trushkin can’t get away from that shot. Practically every interview with the 23-year-old includes an obligatory question about the basket. Trushkin himself is tired of talking about it and believes his biggest wins are still in the future.
He’s gained experience and confidence in recent years. Trushkin started his career at Spartak Vidnoye, before joining Dynamo Moscow (these two teams merged in the summer of 2013). The White-Sky Blues had big ambitions, including a return to Russian basketball’s elite division and the team enjoyed a very successful 2014-15 campaign, finishing 2nd in the Russian Cup and 3rd in the Superleague. But expectations were even higher.
– To be honest, more was expected of us. We expected more ourselves. It’s nice to finish on the podium, of course. But we’d counted on winning the Cup, and, at a minimum, reaching the Superleague finals. It’s especially tough when you are so close to 1st place. Plus, we needed to win to encourage our sponsors to give Dynamo the financing it needed to play in the VTB League.
Club management continued to set lofty goals in the summer of 2015. The club applied to the VTB League and FIBA Europe Cup (unsuccessfully). Talented players joined the roster: Lazarev, Barinov, Korchagin, Klyuchnikov, Zaryazhko. But then things started to go wrong.
– We got a strong coach, Nikolajs Mazurs, and several good Russian players. With our roster, we expected to finish 1st in the Superleague. We clicked in preseason and were playing really well. But I was surprised by the situation. The club still owed us money from last season, but went and signed a new coach and expensive players. That’s when I first started worrying about the team’s future.
On paper, Dynamo looked like one of the favorites for the upcoming season in the Superleague. Fans of the White-Sky Blues hoped that Trushkin would make his VTB United League with Dynamo the following season. The decision to remove Dynamo from the Superleague came as a total surprise to many.
– We returned from camp and started practicing in Moscow. We were getting ready for a road game in the Russian Cup. One day at practice, our president showed up. First, he talked with coach, then they gave us the bad news together. The players were sent home and started looking for new clubs.
Together with Korchagin and several young players, Trushkin did suit up for Dynamo in the Russian Cup in Samara. The team went 1-2, but Vlad looked great with the extra minutes, averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds.
– That was a great experience. For the past two years, I’d been used to a certain role at Dynamo. Now I had a chance to break out. I played 30-35 minutes, took the initiative more often and felt like a leader again. I broke out of my comfort zone. That trip gave me confidence for the entire season.
After Dynamo’s collapse, Trushkin was in a tough spot. Most teams already had full rosters and were preparing for the season. The offer from Spartak-Primorye was a lifeline and he doesn’t regret his decision.
– I wasn’t afraid of going to Primorye. I wanted to play a lot of minutes and Spartak promised I would have that opportunity. Plus, I knew how passionate the local fans were from my time with Dynamo. I also knew the coach, Evgeny Kisurin, from our time together on the national team and I wanted to see a different part of the country. I fell in love with Vladivostok, the city by the sea. I called it the “other Russia.” It’s the same country, but everything was a little different there.
By the end of the season, Trushkin was among the Superleague leaders in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks. The Russian national team couldn’t help but notice his progress, inviting him to the RBF Open Camp over the summer.
– I got a call from the federation a month before the list was officially announced. Of course, I was really happy. I called all my relatives and closest friends. But there was also a responsibility. I stayed in shape during vacation, so I’d arrive in good condition. Even so, I didn’t quite hold up for the entire camp. At the end of the camp, I got some recommendations from the coaching staff. This year, I plan to prove in the VTB League that I can compete for a spot on the national team.
By that point, Trushkin had an offer from Enisey. Putting the national team on hold, he ultimately decided to join the Krasnoyarsk club.
– Enisey sent the most tangible offer. Head coach Oleg Okulov called me personally and explained what role I would have on the team. Plus, I was well aware of Denis Zakharov’s experience. He got plenty of playing time last season at Enisey and I knew that Krasnoyarsk wouldn’t bury me at the end of the bench. I’d have a chance to play and control my own fate.
Vlad had wanted to play in the VTB League for a long time. But now he’s actually getting to experience the differences between the top division and the Superleague.
– People would ask me if I was ready for the VTB League when I was at Dynamo. But it’s hard to answer that question, until you try it for yourself. I’m still getting used to the improved competition. The game is faster, the level of individual talent is higher, every team has foreign players. Your opponent will punish you for any mistakes and momentary lapse of concentration. Sometimes, in the Superleague, I could get by on experience. I knew a lot of opponents really well and how to anticipate plays. That was a big help at Spartak Primorye. Now I have to learn everything over again.
At the same time, the forward has fit in quickly at Enisey and doesn’t look out of place in the League.
– We’ve got a good group of guys on the team. It’s very welcoming. Nobody rips you apart for mistakes. Instead, the experienced guys try to help out and encourage. Our captain Vasily Zavoruev is always giving advice. That builds confidence on the court.
Trushkin debuted in the League against the best team in Europe, CSKA Moscow. He was solid, finishing with eight points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals. But he’s critical of how he played.
– I was nervous. You can’t just forget that your opponent is CSKA. Plus, it was my VTB League debut and my first game in front of the Krasnoyarsk fans. I could have played better. I missed all my mid-range jumpers and didn’t always contribute. But it’s a question of time. Soon, I won’t be bothered by the names on the opposing jerseys.
That self-criticism is plenty evident. When asked about his strengths as a player, Vlad looks embarrassed, takes his time and eventually says something about defense. When I ask about where he needs to improve, he goes back to defense, bringing up the example of Nikita Kurbanov.
– I want to be quicker on defense, so I can stop our opponents’ quicker players. Right now, I’m playing against 3’s and 4’s. But I think Nikita Kurbanov’s position would be ideal. At CSKA, he can defend any position depending on the situation: both big men and point guards. That helps the Army Men a lot when defending the pick-and-roll.
His focus on defense is all the more surprising, given that Vlad is a very talented scorer. Foreign players are often seen as running the show in Russian basketball. When asked who takes the most shots at Enisey, Trushkin names Tony Taylor, Frank Elegar, and Maalik Wayns. He’s shocked to learn that he’s 2nd on the team in field-goal attempts.
– We don’t have any restrictions on offense. It’s the opposite. Our coach wants us to be aggressive, and not just execute robotically. If you’re aggressive, then your teammates will have more space to create and shoot. Anybody can score on our team.
Enisey is only the third team in Trushkin’s career. He left Kazan, where he was born, at an early age. Of course, that helped him mature quickly. When the conversation turns to his family, Vlad has very warm words to say about his close ones.
– I left the house at age 14, so I’m used to being far away from my family. But there’s a saying: “The further away, the closer you are.” When I do go home, it’s very emotional. I get to see my relatives and close ones after a long separation. When you’re always around, it’s not as special. This way, it’s emotional every time.
Social media also helps Trushkin keep in touch. He admits being very connected to technology.
– Unfortunately, I’m addicted to my tablet and phone. I don’t even notice it, but there’s also no alternative. There’s too much negativity on the TV. I’ve been watching a lot of basketball recently. Euroleague, Eurocup, VTB League games give me info on my opponents, plus I can always learn something new for myself. But the social networks eat up a lot of time.
Unlike other players, Vlad doesn’t read what people say about him on social networks and the internet. It’s something of a team philosophy at Enisey, though it’s not always possible to keep everything out.
– Vasya Zavoruev told us right away that we shouldn’t read the comments. Instead of getting into arguments and ruining your mood, it’s better to spend more time practicing and proving things on the court. But my relatives follow things and share “highlights.” Sometimes I want to write something in response, but I stop myself. It’s strange to hear a “respected” opinion from people who don’t know anything about the inner workings. After all, I don’t go to an engineer at a plant and tell him how he should manufacture something. But when it comes to sports, everyone knows better than the coaches and players.
Enisey Krasnoyarsk has uncovered a promising talent in the Superleague for the second straight year. Denis Zakharov broke out last season. Now Vlad Trushkin is taking the next step. It’s too early to draw big conclusions, but his approach to the game is refreshing and makes it clear he’s determined to keep improving.
