By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Kenneth Faried has penned a deal with CSKA Moscow, his previous team, Leones de Ponce announced Friday evening. The Russian powerhouse confirmed his addition on Saturday morning. The newcomer inked a contract for the next two months with an option to extend for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.
“I am excited to be a part of the NBA team of EuroLeague and such a big organization such as CSKA Moscow,” he said, “I am excited to be able to contribute with my presence to help achieve many mutual goals together and I am appreciative for the opportunity to play.”
Faried, 31, had NBA, China, and EuroLeague release clauses on his contract, as noted in the press release issued by the team based in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He had signed the contract to join Leones about one week ago, specifically on October 1. He since recorded 12.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 0.3 steals per contest over three appearances in the BSN.
His new side, CSKA is currently 1-1 in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 3-0 in the VTB United League. The team led by Greek head coach Dimitris Itoudis is heading to the first two-game week of the 2021-22 EuroLeague Regular Season planned to take on Zenit Saint Petersburg and Crvena Zvezda mts at home on Tuesday and Friday, respectively.
Starting center, Nikola Milutinov is projected to remain out for at least a couple more weeks after the left knee injury suffered in the opening week of the new EuroLeague season. CSKA has bought out the contract of the experienced forward/center and former NBA player to replace the Serbian superstar and also debut in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
“We have our ears and eyes open on the market, we had two spots on the roster available,” pointed out Itoudis, “Faried is well-known for his aggressivity on the defensive end, on boards, etc. He is going to bring his energy and enthusiasm. Though he has accomplished a lot in his life he still has the eagerness and competitiveness in his soul. We have talked also extensively last year, he was on our radar but it did not happen then. We welcome Kenneth to our club, he knows the obligations. We are looking forward to this cooperation.”
The former Morehead State standout, selected 22nd overall in the 2011 NBA draft, joined the Portland Trail Blazers this summer and posted 5.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.0 steals per appearance in the NBA Las Vegas Summer League.
His NBA career so far stretched to eight seasons included a run of seven years at the Denver Nuggets. His 2018-19 campaign was split between the Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets. The Manimal made his way to 496 games, including 18 Playoff tilts.
At the international level, he made the USA squad in the 2014 edition of the FIBA World Cup helping his country capture gold in Madrid.
Per CSKA: “Forward/center Kenneth Faried (31 years old, 203 cm), well-known to basketball fans for his outstanding performance for many NBA clubs, has been called to help our team from across the ocean. The contract with the American big man is signed for two months with an option to extend until the end of the season. Kenneth will join the team immediately after completing the documents required to enter Russia…
Faried became famous before he entered the biggest basketball league in the world. In 2011, he graduated from Morehead State University with the rank of the NCAA all-time leader in rebounds. That time, due to his desire to desperately fight on boards, he earned the nickname Manimal. Kenneth was picked by Denver in the first round of the NBA draft 22nd overall, he was selected to the First All-Rookie Team and spent seven years in the Nuggets. In 2018, he was traded to Brooklyn, and at the end of the season, he joined Houston. In total, the basketball player played 478 matches in the NBA regular championships (11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 0.8 blocked shots) and 18 games in the playoffs (8.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 0.5 blocked shots).
Then Faried made a short visit to China, where he played for Zhejiang, he completely missed the last season, then played for Portland in the NBA Summer League this past summer, and started this season in Puerto Rican side Leones de Ponce (12.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists in three games).
Kenneth played for Team USA and became the World Champion. At the 2014 World Cup, he became one of the best scorers on his team (12.2 points) and the best rebounder for the Americans (7.7).”