One of world basketball's most fascinating success stories remains in place following Friday's announcement that Theodoros Papaloukas, CSKA Moscow's star sixth man and reigning Euroleague MVP, has extended his deal with the Russian champs through the 2009-10 season. Papaloukas already had two years remaining on his contract, but has now committed himself to an additional year with the club. Among the best tall point guards ever to play the game, Papaloukas (200, 30) has already spent five seasons with CSKA, going from a virtual unknown outside his native Greece to one of the most celebrated players on the planet. Besides winning the 2006 Euroleague as Final Four MVP with CSKA, Papaloukas is a reigning European national champion and a World Championships silver medalist with Greece. At CSKA, Papaloukas has revolutionized the role of sixth man. His huge impact on CSKA's success has come despite starting just 4 out of his 114 games with the club. He has never averaged 10 points in his Euroleague career, but his influence as a floor leader and timely offensive performer has been inspiring. He posted both the most points and most assists in the last two Final Fours, posting a career-high 23 points in the 2007 title game.

“The extension of the contact is a [great] deal not only for CSKA, but for European basketball in general,” CSKA senior vice president Andrei Vatutin said in a statement. “The best player on the continent stays in Europe and does not leave for the NBA as did the previous Euroleague MVP. This is just another confirmation of the Euroleague's level of progress. For us, the extension of the contract was one of the main task for the off-season and we are happy.”