By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Alexey Shved is officially back with CSKA Moscow. The Russian powerhouse announced that the EuroLeague superstar signed a two-year (1+1) contract to return to the club after 2012.
Per CSKA:
Despite the fact that Alexey as a basketball player grew up in his native Belgorod with his father Victor Nikolaevich as his first coach, he can be called a graduate of the youth Army Team. The guard played for CSKA at all levels, from the junior team to the main team, briefly went on loan at Khimki and Dynamo, and in 2012 went overseas as a full-fledged player in the rotation of both CSKA and the Russian National Team, Olympic bronze medal winner. In the NBA, Shved played 182 games in total for Minnesota, Houston and New York (7.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 18.0 minutes).
In 2015, the player returned to Europe, having signed a contract with Khimki, becoming the undisputed leader of the Moscow Region team and one of the continent’s best scorers. Even after “missing” the year that the Yellow-Blues spent in the Eurocup, Shved burst into the dozen of the most productive players in the history of the Euroleague. At the post-American stage of his career, Alexey is the leader of the Euroleague in terms of the average number of points scored (20.3), he won the Alfonso Ford Trophy as the tournament best scorer twice (2018, 2021).
Alexey finished last season as the Euroleague leader in scoring (19.8), assists (7.7), the number of three-point shots made (3.1) and playing time (32.5), as well as the second in the PIR (19.7) and seventh in steals (1.3). In VTB United League, his averages are even higher – 23.3 points and 8.0 assists, good for first and second positions in the league, respectively.
Andrey Vatutin, PBC CSKA President:
The return to CSKA of Alexey Shved, an iconic figure for Russian basketball, will surely divide our fans and basketball fans into two camps. I think, first of all, it is worth asking ourselves a question: is it interesting for us to look at the best player in our country in recent years as part of a team that is fighting for the Euroleague title? Of course, yes. Are there any doubts that such a spectacular, individually strong basketball player can become a part of Itoudis’ playing system, accept the club’s rules? Only life and the game will give the answer to this question, the future seems incredibly interesting. We got a chance to make CSKA stronger, and Alexey challenged himself. In this situation it is simply impossible not to take advantage of it. We discussed this transition with Itoudis a lot, Dimitris talked to Alexey more than once, I constantly talked with the player. From the very beginning of the negotiations, Shved showed a great desire to move to CSKA, to be part of the team, to return to winning team, convinced us with his sincerity and confidence. I know Alexey very well personally for a long time, so I am sure that everything planned will work out. In CSKA, his role will be different, the playing time will be different, we see him as a basketball player who not only plays alone, but also includes his partners to the maximum, works for the team. We always wanted the best Russian players to play for CSKA, but in reality this is impossible, this is a competitive market. It is difficult to reproach Alexey for choosing the best offer from another club many years ago after the NBA. Now the pupil of our school is returning home – I remind you – in the status of the best scorer of the Euroleague. And we say: welcome! In conclusion, I would like to thank the long-time partners of sports and basketball – the USM-Holding company for their assistance in the transfer of Alexei Shved to CSKA.
Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:
We have talked with Alexey several times already. He has expressed great motivation and a big desire to come here, help the team win more titles, and play good basketball. Alexey has obvious respect for CSKA’s organization. He understands what it means to work in the CSKA environment, to work alongside our important players who brought many titles to the club, who have played here for many years. He is ready to add his skills to the team equation, to work on the common goal. We welcome Alexey and wish him health and success together with our team.
Alexey Shved, CSKA guard:
I am very glad to be back home in the strongest European club. I hope we will show the maximum results together. We will work hard on this. I’m looking forward to the start of the season, I am anxious to be back on the floor in CSKA colors.
Photo: CSKA Moscow