By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
CSKA Moscow announced that captain Kyle Hines is leaving the team. Eurohoops has reported that Hines will be joining Olimpia Milano.
Per CSKA:
Two-time EuroLeague champion with CSKA Kyle Hines will continue his career with the other team.
Strong and friendly, well-educated and organized, tenacious on the floor and unbelievable open off the court, the most respected player on the continent, true leader and captain – this is how we know Kyle after his seven years in red and blue colors. He came to CSKA with accolades in his resume, with two titles won with Olympiacos but it was our team were the player Hines truly bloomed. The American has become the first to win two titles apiece with two different teams he was named the EuroLeague Best Defender twice (2016, 2018) and VTB League Best Defender (2016), the Army Men won all VTB League titles with Hines on the team.
Kyle played 414 games for CSKA (fifth in club’s history), he scored 3227 points, made 1703 rebounds (third) and blocked 284 shots (second).
Andrey Vatutin, PBC CSKA President:
This is not the best day for the club and our fans. Surely, it seemed to everyone of us that Kyle and CSKA are linked inseparably, we hope to continue our collaboration before this morning, but life sends us new challenges. Kyle spent 7 excellent seasons with us, he helped us win 2 EuroLeague titles, he managed his captain’s duties brilliantly, he became a true symbol of the team. His contribution to our common successes cannot be overestimated, and we have big respect to the player’s decision to accept a new challenge, to start a new stage in his life. We – teammates, coaches, club’s staff, fans – will miss Kyle, we will miss Gianna, Anya and Justin, we wish good health and happiness to all our friends from Hines family. Thank you very much for all this years! See you!
Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:
We all know what Kyle means to everyone from CSKA. We were in contact all past days. Finally he decided to see something else in his life after 7 years here in Moscow, after 2 EuroLeague titles and captaincy. We will always only good memories about Hines. We will keep close relations off and on court. I wish good health to him and his family.
Kyle Hines:
It’s hard to put into words what these past seven years have meant to my family and me. CSKA will forever be in my heart and will forever be my home. Thank you to Mr.Ivanov, Mr. Vatutin, Mrs. Furaeva, for the opportunity to play for CSKA. Thank you to coach Itoudis for not only making me a better player but also a better person on and off the basketball court. Thank you to all the staff and members of the CSKA organization for treating me like one of your own. To my teammates, past, and present, it’s has been an honor and privilege to share the basketball court with you all. To the fans, thank you for your passion and support throughout all these years. To the city of Moscow and the country of Russia, thank you for giving my family a home. I will miss you all dearly. Some people will remember the 2 Euroleague Trophies, the 6 VTB titles, the six final fours, or the hard-fought victories we had during the past seven years. For me, I will remember most of the relationships and friendships I have built with you all. We had good times, and bad times, we have cried during our difficult moments and celebrated the triumphed victories. Throughout it all, what I cherish the most is that we did it all together. Even though our journey together is coming to an end, this isn’t a goodbye, just a see you later. You will all forever be in my heart. Thank you again. Your Captain.