By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Semen Antonon is the new member of CSKA Moscow as it was announced by his former team, Nizhny Novgorod. The club said goodbye to its former captain who is leaving for the European champions with the following press release.
Former captain of BC NN has signed a deal with CSKA Moscow. Our club thanks Semen for his great performance during six seasons and wishes the best of luck!
Semen Antonov joined BC Nizhny Novgorod in 2010 and has become the captain and the leader of the team. In the season 2013/2014 he gained silver medals in VTB United League and became the best Russian player of the season.
Semen Antonov:
– I’d like to thank all the staff of Nizhny Novgorod for everything they were doing for me during these six years. I appreciate them for they let me improve as a high-level player. Nizhny Novgorod will always stay in my heart.
A little bit latter it was time for CSKA to confirm the two year deal with the player.
The Nizhnevartovsk native started his pro career with Avtodor Saratov in 2008-09 season, spent the year on loan in Tambov, went to Nizhny Novgorod in 2010 and played there since now. In 2014 his team played in the VTB League Finals, made its debut in Euroleague and jumped to the Top 16. Antonov averaged 7.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.6 blocked shots in 25.6 minutes.
Antonov’s last season averages are: 13.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.8 blocked shots in 28.3 minutes of 18 Eurocup games; 12.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.3 steals and 1.0 blocked shots in 32 VTB United League games.
Antonov is also a Russian National Team member, he won 2011 Eurobasket bronze and 2012 Olympic bronze with the team.
Coach Dimitris Itoudis said about his new player: “Probably it is not a revealing of the secret if I say we that wanted Antonov before my first year with CSKA. He is mature player, family guy, he has good character and high standards in his everyday work. Semen is in the age when we can expect the best out of him, his versatility to cover both 3 and 4 positions is very important as he is able to give us size as a small forward and tough competition as a power forward. We talked personally and I explained him what CSKA is about. He is ready to accept any role provided by the coaches and give his best effort for team success. We welcome Semen in CSKA family; we are looking forward to work together”.