By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
One of the most important future plans of Zenit St. Petersburg is to be able to hold its games in an arena of its own.
It may not happen anytime soon, but it’s something essential for the overall growth of the Zenit organization, according to general manager Alexander Tserkovny.
“We have a development strategy for the club. Sooner or later, Zenit must acquire its own arena. But it is premature to say that it will happen in the near future,” Tserkovny said in an interview with Izvestia.
After seven years in EuroCup, Zenit debuted in EuroLeague in 2019-20. This first experience in the top-tier European competition finished with the Zenit being tied for the worst record in a season that was ultimately canceled due to the coronavirus.
Last season carried an entirely different scenario for Zenit since the team made the EuroLeague playoffs and forced a five-game quarterfinal series with Barcelona. The Russian team is, naturally, now aiming higher.
“The goal is to be better than last season. If we succeed, then we will be where we want to be,” Tserkovny said.
Zenit kept many key players and made certain additions to retain a quality squad, despite the departure of its MVP last season: Kevin Pangos, who went on to sign his first NBA contract by joining the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“We were looking for compromises with his agents,” Tserkovny said. “But then Pangos himself entered into a dialogue and said something like the following: ‘I understand what I mean to the team. The club, coaches, partners are dear to me, and I do not want to let you down. So don’t count on me. I want to play in the NBA and will not consider any European options.'”
“There were no agreements,” Tserkovny added. “He simply said that he would not play in Europe and was confident that he would still find a club in the NBA. In the end, it happened. I want to congratulate Kevin and wish him a good season at Cleveland. He did a lot for Zenit.”