By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
CSKA Moscow celebrated April’s Fools Day by bringing… Daryl Middleton back to courts for the Euroleague game against Zalgiris Kaunas. The assistant coach of CSKA Moscow and former basketball player started training with the rest of the players of the Russian team and looked rather eager for his return to action.
Coach Dimitris Itoudis supported his associate’s decision. After all he has witnessed his game first-hand from their days in Panathinaikos, when the Greek coach was an assistant and Middleton a player!
Here is the… official announcement by CSKA Moscow
“Our team’s coach Darryl Middleton can play in the next CSKA game against Zalgiris.
Current roster situation in the frontline left not so much possibilities for the coaching staff. The signing window for Euroleague and VTB League is closed so the Army Men found internal reserve to use. Middleton is moved from coach to player-coach position on the official roster.
Middleton (49 y.o., 203 cm) is one of the most successful coaches in the history of European basketball. Baylor University graduate enjoyed 25-year long career in different clubs in Italy, Spain and Greece. Darryl has an experience of playing in Russia: he defended Dynamo St.Petersburg colors in the 2005-06 season. Middleton won the Euroleague title with Panathinaikos in 2002. The player averaged 8.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in his 4 seasons in Euroleague. He was named Spanish League MVP three times. Darryl retired in 2014 as the oldest ever active pro player in Spain and joined CSKA coaching staff.”