February 09, 2012
World Championship team profile: Russia
Viktor KhryapaThe European champion just three years ago, Russia will try to resurrect its can-do spirit in Turkey by looking toward several new-generation talents to make big contributions. Despite the absence of a couple major stars, J.R. Holden of CSKA Moscow and Andrei Kirilenko, Russia has kept its team identity as a defensive power under head coach David Blatt of Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv. If his younger players can replicate the team's past defensive toughness, it will give them a lot of confidence with which to show their skills on the offensive end. Good size at every position and 10 or more players with solid Euroleague experience mean that Russia will be ready to make some noise if the team can jell quickly enough for all of its young talent to bloom at the right time.

#
 Name
Pos.
H.
4
 Andrei Vorontsevich
F
207
5
 Evgeny Kolesnikov
G
195
6
 Sergei Bykov
G
190
7
 Vitaly Fridzon
G
196
8
 Sasha Kaun
C
211
9
 Alexey Zhukanenko
F
210
10
 Viktor Khryapa
F
206
11
 Anton Ponkrashov
G
200
12
 Sergei Monya
F
205
13
 Dmitry Khvostov
G
185
14
 Evgeny Voronov
G
191
15
 Timofey Mozgov
C
215
Head Coach: David Blatt
The new leader of Team Russia is All-Euroleague forward Viktor Khryapa of CSKA Moscow, a stellar defender, rebounder and opportunistic scorer who is also a great passer, making him the perfect choice to enable all the young talents around him. He has done just that at CSKA with big men Sasha Kaun and Andrei Vorontsevich. Khryapa, however, is listed as day-to-day and may miss some right at the start of the tournament. If Khryapa is healthy, the CSKA trio could give Russia stability inside, although the x-factor on this team could be center Timofey Mozgov, who can dominate when playing well. The backcourt will feature the point guard tandem of veteran Sergei Bykov and young buck Dmitry Khvostov, opposites who will give Russia two distinct looks, while big Anton Ponkrashov can step in as either playmaker or two-guard. Also on the perimeter, solid Vitaly Fridzon can defend well and shoot in streaks while Sergei Monya has inside-outside talent to spare when he's inspired. If its big men can rebound consistently off Blatt's defensive schemes, Russia should be in any game it plays - and depending on shooting accuracy, win its fair share of them, too.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Euroleague.net
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