By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Zenit Saint-Petersburg announced the addition of Russian point guard Andrei Toptunov on Monday. The youngster penned a three-year contract.
Toptunov, 19, became a member of the Burevestnik Yaroslav junior ranks in 2017. He debuted with the senior squad at 19 and evolved into a leading player. He was recently called to participate in Russia’s training camp for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
The crowning achievement of his career so far marked him as the youngest player to score 35 points in Russia’s Super League. He registered 11.5 points and 3.5 assists per match last season.
“Zenit is a team with great ambitions, excellent players, and an experienced coach. Few players are given such an opportunity, especially at my age,” he pointed out, per the press release, “I will try to vindicate the people putting so much effort into my development.”
Head coach Xavi Pascual expects Toptunov to split the next season between the senior and reserve team of Zenit.
The Russian side previously brought in Shabazz Napier, Jordan Mickey, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Dmitry Kulagin, Conner Frankamp, Jordan Loyd, and Sergey Karasev and also re-signed Anton Pushkov, Billy Baron, Arturas Gudaitis, Alex Poythress, and Mateusz Ponitka ahead of the 2021-22 edition of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
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