In the World basketball map specials we broaden our horizons and recall all foreign players in League’s history, discuss foreign leagues and national teams. Today’s special will cover Belarus.
Population: 9,4 mln
Players in League history: 38.
Full list of players: Daniil Barysevich, Yauheni Beliankou, Uladzimir Charko, Valiantsin Ihnatchyk, Siarhei Kazlou, Aleh Kojenets, Dzianis Korshuk, Viachaslau Korzh, Alexander Koul, Uladzimir Krysevich, Aliaksandr Kudrautsau, Dzmitry Kuzmin, Aliaksei Lashkevich, Maksim Liutych, Vitali Liutych, Artsiom Maliauka, Mikita Meshcharakou, Dzmitry Paliashchuk, Artsiom Parakhouski, Dzianis Pastukhou, Aliaksandr Pustahvar, Andrei Rahozenka, Roman Rubinshteyn, Maksim Salash, Aliaksandr Semianiuk, Dzmitry Shylovich, Kiryl Sitnik, Andrei Stabrouski, Vadzim Stubeda, Yauheni Suhaniaka, Aliaksei Trastsinetski, Pavel Ulyanko, Siarhei Vabishchevich, Anton Vashkevich, Uladzimir Verameyenka, Rostislav Vergun, Pavel Yakavitskiy, Tsimafei Yeusiyevich.
Throughout VTB United League history, 38 athletes represented Belarus, and Artsiom Parakhouski is the only who has never played for Tsmoki-Minsk. Parakhouski’s teams were Ukranian Budivelnik in 2011/12 season, Nizhny Novgorod in 2014/15 and UNICS in 2015-2017. Artsiom Parakhouski is two-time best Belarus player of the League.
The most famous Belarus player of the League is Aliaksandr Kudrautsau. Ex-Tsmoki guard holds the 9th place in top all-time top scorers rankings (1754 points).
Moreover, in VTB League, there were two players naturalized by Belarus. Maalik Wayns played 7 games for Enisey in 2016, and Devon Saddler was in Tsmoki-Minsk in 2017-2019.
Basketball in Belarus
League: Belarus championship
Founded: 1992
Number of teams: 12
League site: https://belarus.basketball/
There are 12 teams in Belarus league. The first stage features 10 clubs, 11 at the second, and later on Tsmoki-Minsk of VTB League joins the best teams in the playoffs.
The Dragons are the most successful club of the country with 11 titles (2009-2019). Grodno-93 holds 8, and Vitaliur 4.
Two clubs represented Belarus in 2019/20 eurocups: Tsmoki-Minsk played in FIBA Cup regular season while Borisfen of Mogiliov was in qualification.
Fact
Three players of Belarus championship have more titles than the country’s most successful club Tsmoki-Minsk (11 titles): Uladzimir Sharko (14) Aliaksei Trastinetski (13) and Aliaksei Pyntikau (12)
Belarus national team
FIBA ranking: 52
FIBA member: since 1992
Achievements: –
Belarus joined FIBA in 1992 and made a huge noise already in the first official game. 1993 Eurobasket qualifiers, the White Wings outplayed Lithuania (88:80), Olympic bronze medals holders at that time.
Other highlights include wins over Greece in 1997 (82:77), Czech Republic in 2000 (78:60) and Poland in 2016 (76:57).
Within its 28 years of existence, Belarus national team haven’t played at major events (Eurobasket, World Cup and the Olympics) and are ranked 52nd in FIBA rankings.
The most famous Belarus players
Aliaksandr Kudrautsau. 9-time Belarus champion, and top scoring Belarusian player of VTB League. In February 2020, Aliaksandr Kudrautsau was inducted in VTB United League Hall of Fame.
Artiom Parakhouski. 2-time Belarus champion, 2-time Best Belarusian player of VTB United League, participant of VTB League 2017 All-Star Game.
Uladzimir Verameyenka. 6-time Best Belarus basketball player, and 2-time Best Belarusian player of VTB United League.
Egor Meshcharakou. 2-time Belarus champion, 5-time Best Belarus basketball player and Ukraine champion. Also played in Russia, Turkey, Italy and Greece.
Worth mentioning: Igor Grischuk, Aliaksey Lashkevich, Andrey Krivonos
Dmitriy Kolinov.
