By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
CSKA youth team product Artem Komolov inked a two-year contract to return to the Moscow outfit and Anton Astapkovich signed a three-year contract on his way back as well, the team announced Thursday.
Per the press releases: “Komolov is a graduate of Trinta Sports School and a pupil of our club’s Youth Project, he played for the junior red-blue teams for almost five years – from 2009 to 2014. From 2014 to 2017, Artem, while having a valid contract with CSKA, played on loan for Avtodor, Zenit, Ural and Sakhalin, then spent four seasons in Nizhny Novgorod, and the last year in UNICS (6.4 points, 46.8% of three-pointers in 24 VTB League games).”
“Astapkovich moved to Moscow from his native Minsk in 2009 and played for CSKA teams until 2018, including a “golden” season with the main team (in 2015-16 he became the champion of the EuroLeague and VTB League) and a year-long absence on loan to Avtodor (2016-17). For the past four years, Anton has been one of the leaders of Nizhny Novgorod. His 2021-22 season averages are 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals in 19 VTB League games, 9.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.0 steals in 4 FIBA Champions League games.”
“I am very happy to be back home and represent a club like CSKA,” Komolov said, per CSKA, “For me, this is a big step in my career, and I am grateful to the club management and the coach for this opportunity. For my part, I will do my best to justify their trust!”
“First of all, I want to say thank you to Nizhny Novgorod. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Thanks to all the coaches, management, all the friends that I made there, the city and the fans. I am also grateful to CSKA, the management, the coach, who contacted me, explained his vision and set a small task for me,” added Astapkovich, “I understand this task and will act accordingly. Becoming a CSKA player is a huge step forward, a new chapter in my life. I feel trust and I will try to help the club with everything I can, I will give my all. I am looking forward to returning to games and practices, I am looking forward to victories, I hope that we will develop, please everyone with our game and receive love and support from CSKA fans in return.”
Meanwhile, VTB champion Zenit penned captain Andrey Zubkov to a two-year contract extension.
“Of course, I am very glad that we have signed a new agreement with Zenit,” he said, per Zenit, “After such a bright victory last season, I definitely want to continue making history with the club. Petersburg — you are the best! I think we will succeed!”
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League