On October 25, MINSK will play against the most titled VTB United League team – CSKA in Moscow Megasport. Read more about the opponent in our preview.
Off-season transfers
The outcome of the 2022/23 season became unpredictable for many, when one of the clear leaders and favorites failed to make it to the finals of the VTB United League and fought for bronze with Zenit. In the summer, the red-blue squad was updated and several significant players left the club at once: Nikola Milutinov, Alexey Shved, Devontae Keycock and Dejan Davidovac. Dallas Moore and Artem Komolov also said goodbye to the team. CSKA returned Anton Kardanakhishvili (Samara) from the lease, and Nikita Mikhailovsky moved from Avtodor Saratov.
Three newcomers legionnaires confidently fit into the Muscovites. Tonye Jekiri previously played in the VTB United League for UNICS: in the 2021/22 season, he played 21 games with an average of 7.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in 22.1 minutes on the court. After UNICS, the center moved to Fenerbahce and scored 6.7 points and 5.4 rebounds.
In the 2022/23 season, Amath M'Baye played for Anadolu Efes and played 33 games in the Euroleague, averaging 7.0 points and 2.8 rebounds. Together with the Istanbul club, Amat became the champion of Turkey.
Melo Trimble played for Shanghai in the 2022/23 season and averaged 17.5 points, 5.4 assists and 4.3 rebounds in the Chinese championship.
The post of head coach continues to be headed by the North Macedonian specialist Emil Rajkovic. In the 2022/23 season, CSKA, under the leadership of Raikovich, became the bronze medalist of the VTB United League, the bronze medalist of the Russian Championship and the silver medalist of the VTB United League Super Cup.
Start of the season
The meeting for our team objectively promises to be difficult. Before the game with Minsk at the start of the season, CSKA held 5 matches and are at the top of the standings. Muscovites won over MBA (76:72), Enisey (73:64), Zenit (80:76), PARMA (77:76) and Avtodor (85:73).
The newcomer Melo Trimble looks convincing in the red-blue team with average statistics of 14.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists. The leader in rebounds (6.8) and spectacular block shots (1.0) among Muscovites is Tony Jekiri.
Forward of MINSK Daniil Kasko: “We worked out the mistakes from the last game, now we are preparing for a very strong opponent. We will impose a stubborn struggle in every moment and try to show a good level.”
The roster of the opponent
CSKA, Moscow
Guards
1. Nikita Mikhailovsky, 10.09.2000, 203 cm, Russia,
2. Casper Ware, 17.01.1990, 178 cm, USA,
6. Melo Trimble, 02.02.1995, 188 cm, USA,
7. Ivan Ukhov, 11.09.1995, 193 cm, Russia,
23. Anton Kardanakhishvili, 19.03.2002, 195 cm, Russia.
Forwards
8. Anton Astapkovich, 29.01.1994, 202 cm, Russia,
10. Samson Ruzhentsev, 23.10.2001, 202 cm, Russia,
11. Semyon Antonov, 18.07.1989, 202 cm, Russia,
24. Amath M'Baye, 12.14.1989, 206 cm, France,
28. Philip Gafurov, 23.06.2001, 212 cm, Russia,
41. Nikita Kurbanov, 05.10.1986, 202 cm, Russia.
Centers
3. Tony Jekiri, 23.07.1994, 212 cm, Nigeria,
17. Livio Jean-Charles, 08.11.1993, 206 cm, France.
The match starts at 20:00, the game broadcast will be available on the VTB United League website and Belarus 5 TV channel. We are rooting for MINSK!