By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Swedish star and former NBA player Jonas Jerebko returning to action by inking a short-term deal with CSKA Moscow was discussed by the General Secretary of the Swedish Basketball Federation, SBBF, Fredrik Joulamo.
“It is clear that the timing of this decision is surprising, to say the least. I need to talk to Jonas and listen to his thoughts,” Joulamo told Swedish outlet Aftonbladet, “Our position is clear. We have run a fundraiser, condemned Russia’s invasion, and backed FIBA’s decision. But we are not involved in our players’ contracts. We will have to talk with Jonas to see what this means for him and us in the future.”
Jerebko, 35, sidelined since late 2021 at the club level, was capped twice with the Sweden national team in the winter schedule of the 2021-22 season. He helped his side split a home-and-away series opposite Croatia to make its way to an overall record of 2-2 in Group C of the 2023 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers. Sweden is currently tied with Slovenia, while sitting one game behind Finland and one game ahead of Croatia, with the top three teams advancing to the next round. Besides his international career apparently in jeopardy before this summer’s fixtures opposite Finland and Slovenia, his decision to join CSKA during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war cost him the deal with sponsor NOCCO.
Jerebko, selected by the Detroit Pistons with the 39th overall pick of the 2002 NBA draft, recorded 683 appearances between the Pistons, Boston Celtics, Utah Jazz, and Golden State Warriors up to the 2018-19 season. Upon returning to Europe, land at Khimki Moscow Region logging his 43 first games played in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Ruled out of the 2021-22 edition of Europe’s premier club continental competition, CSKA is now competing exclusively in the VTB United League.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL