Always seen as an up-and-coming talent, Alexey Shved has fulfilled his potential this season and confirmed his status as one of the best young combo guards in Europe. Despite making his Euroleague debut with CSKA back in the 2007-08 season, Shved did not see solid minutes until Jonas Kazlauskas joined the team last season. Now Shved is making the most of this opportunity, becoming not only one of CSKA's pillars this season, but also one of the most exciting players to watch in the competition.

Shved has shocked a lot of Euroleague fans with his great athleticism, poise and high basketball IQ. Extended playing time has been the key for him, as Shved has totaled more points already (108) than in his previous five Euroleague seasons combined (61). His elegance, dynamism, size and driving skills make him a perfect complement to former Euroleague MVP Milos Teodosic. A young veteran at age 23, Shved knows the future of Russian basketball belongs to him.

As a player who thrives in coach Kazlauskas's transition game, Shved seems to do great things in a very natural, almost effortless way. Shved helped CSKA to win its last Euroleague title in 2008, though with limited playing time. His lack of opportunities in 2008-09 caused CSKA to send Shved on loan to Dynamo Moscow. Shved lived up to the expectations with 11 points and 5.3 rebounds in 4 Eurocup games with Dynamo in 2009-10. Shved rejoined CSKA last season and already showed his time was about to come at EuroBasket 2011. He helped Russia to win the bronze medal with 8.5 points and 3.1 assists in 11 games, and has kept his momentum going into the 2011-12 Euroleague season.

Along the way, Shved has been able to practice with some of the best guards in Europe, such as Euroleague All-Decade team selection J.R. Holden, former Euroleague and Final Four MVP Theo Papaloukas, 2008 Final Four MVP Trajan Langdon, Nikos Zisis, Zoran Planinic, Jamont Gordon and most recently Teodosic, all of whom have helped teach him valuable lessons. Shved has grown as a player and it all has clicked in 2011-12, as he has simply gone to the next level, from a promising player to a soon-to-be superstar. He helped CSKA go undefeated throughout the regular season with clutch shooting and plenty of highlights along the way.

The numbers say it all about Shved's impact this season. In less than 24 minutes per night, Shved is averaging 12 points on 50% three-point shooting (13-of-26) and 4 assists. His performance index ranking average (13) is only bettered by Andrei Kirilenko and Nenad Krstic. His 2.5 assists-per-turnover ratio is excellent, showing that Shved is reliable like never before. His alley-oop dunks have turned him into a fan favorite for CSKA fans, who will have the luck to follow him closely not only in the Top 16, but also for years to come.