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NBA 23.07.2012, 10:25 Redazione Sportando - E. Carchia 12

Alexey Shved officially moves to the Timberwolves

Il russo sbarca in NBA

Guard Alexey Shved used the NBA option of his CSKA contract to move to Minnesota Timberwolves. Our club wishes Alexey successful career overseas.

Shved started to play basketball in his native Belgorod with his father Victor as his first coach. He joined our team as 16-year old player and he is a graduate of CSKA junior project. Alexey debuted in the main team in 2006-07 season, spent part of the season in BC Khimki on rent and got back to army club to become a regular member of rotation. Shved spent the second part of 2008-09 season on rent again in Dynamo Moscow but returned to wear red-blue uniform again. Alexey has become a key player for CSKA in 2010 and he finished the previous season as BEKO PBL playoffs MVP and second in the Euroleague history in 3-point percentage (49.1%).

Shved’s stats in CSKA: 6.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.2 blocked shots in 14.7 minutes in 78 Eurolague games, 8.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.2 blocked shots in 18.1 minutes in 30 VTB League games, 9.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.2 blocked shots in 20.4 minutes in 58 Russian regular championship games.

Andrey Vatutin, CSKA President:

One of websites included Alexey to the list of the eligible bachelors in Russia last spring, so his departure is a serious hit for the potential brides... Seriously, I have dual feelings. From one side, I am sure that Alexey could become one of CSKA leaders next season, he could help us to fulfill our dream. Probably he could spend a season or two in Europe, to become stronger in all aspects and leave overseas after that. From the other side I know Alexey for a long time, I realize that it will be easy for him to adapt to the life in the USA, more than for anyone else. From this point of view he is ready to play in the NBA. The estimates can be done only after some time but everything is in Shved’s hands. Therefore I am happy for Alexey, because I have only warm feelings towards him, he grew as a player and a person in front of me. He deserved the contract. So we are all happy for him. NBA remains as the strongest basketball league in the world, and every player’s dream is to try himself on the highest level. I am sure that Shved has enough talent and skills to help his new team. I’d like to wish him not to stop improving, to show himself, to proudly represent Russian and CSKA basketball.

Alexey Shved:

I’d like to sincerely thank CSKA – players, coaches, club’s staff, Andrey Vatutin in person. We have spent great years together and I had the chance to stay. Still I decided to try myself on the highest level, to use the possibility to play in the NBA. Hopefully, I will be doing fine in Minnesota, I will try hard. And it will be a pleasure to return to Moscow, to visit USH CSKA.

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