By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
CSKA Moscow veteran forward Andrey Vorontsevich characterized Kyle Hines’ departure from the team as a “shock” for him and the rest of the players of the Russian powerhouse. Hines exiting CSKA has been confirmed by club president Andrey Vatutin.
“When Kyle wrote [about his departure] to our group it was unbelievable. Of course, it was a shock,” Vorontsevich said to RIA Novosti. “Very unexpected news to be honest. We played together for so many years, went through fire and water, won the championship so many times. We survived victories and defeats. Together, the results paved the way for victories. CSKA players love, value and respect Hines, we can only respect his decision and wish him and his family good luck in their new destination. The same applies to Ron Baker, Kostas Koufos and their families.”
Eurohoops has reported that Hines will be joining Olimpia Milano to reunite with coach Ettore Messina after 2013-2014. The four-time (2012, 2013, 2016, 2019) EuroLeague champion, two-time (2016, 2018) DPOY, and winningest American player of the modern era of the competition is leaving Moscow after seven years, that also included six VTB League championships.
Before the beginning of the 2018-2019 season, Hines was named captain of CSKA.
“They say that nobody is irreplaceable but I believe that such players exist,” Voronsevich commented. “Hines was strong not only on the court but also outside of it. He performed his function as captain perfectly. He led the team and I, as vice-captain, tried to support him. Help him to preserve our “chemistry” within the team, the mood to fight, to win the championship. We went through all of this together.”
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