By Kostas Ioakimidis/ info@eurohoops.net
The best Russian player returns to the best Russian team ever and it’s a match that the whole EuroLeague waits to see.
Alexey Shved talked to the CSKA Basket Show about his return and the way he can be part of a unit that reached the Final Four last season and always aims to the top.
“I spoke with coach Itoudis several times”, explained Shved who elaborated on his role in a loaded CSKA roster. “We have the same goals, we both do not like to lose and only think about the maximum result. Of course, we discussed my playing time and my position on the court. It’s no secret that I can play the one, two, and even the three position. It doesn’t make much difference to me, I hope to be useful in all three positions. I am very glad to return to CSKA and look forward to the start of the season”.
After all, Shved can be also an asset on defense, as he said: “There were seasons when I was in top 2-3 in steals, so I don’t think that I will have problems in this part. Let’s wait the season to start and we will see what will happen”.
The Russian guard is ready to go and 100% healthy: “I am totally healed from my last season’s injuries. I was preparing again for the season with my father – I have been doing this for the last six or seven years. I always start working about a month before the first camp. We train a lot on the street: athletics, stretching, exercises with elastic bands. After that, we go to the gym, where we train throws, movement in defense throws at speed”.
And a healthy Shved is the perfect match for CSKA, as he explained: “I was clear from the beginning that I wanted to join CSKA, and, in principle, I did not consider other teams, because I knew where I wanted to go. I am glad to be here. All the guys congratulated me. I was chatting with them and everybody was very happy that I returned. I know almost all of them, we have played against each other several times, with some of them we were teammates in the near past, with others we played together in the national team an so we have a great squad and the season promises to be fun”.
Here’s the full show (in Russian).