Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar bolstered its frontline for the coming season by signing forward Victor Claver, the club announced.
Claver (2.06 meters, 27 years old) started last season playing with Portland in the NBA, before joining Khimki Moscow Region, where he finished the season. He was not registered for Khimki in Eurocup and averaged 7.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in VTB United League action. Claver has one season of Euroleague experience under his belt from 2010-11 with Valencia, when he averaged 10.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.4 steals, but broke his foot midway through the Top 16 and could not help the team in the playoffs.
Claver grew up and started his professional career with Valencia and made his Spanish League debut back in October of 2006. He was the Eurocup Rising Star award winner in 2010, the same season he helped Valencia win the Eurocup. Between 2012 and 2015, Claver played three seasons for Portland in the NBA and Idaho in the NBDL. He has also won EuroBasket gold medals with Spain in 2009 and 2011, a bronze in 2013, and an Olympic silver medal in 2012. He is on Spain’s roster for EuroBasket 2015, too.
”Victor Claver combines athleticism, which we need at this position, with an excellent understanding of basketball; this makes him a great option for us,” Lokomotiv head coach Georgios Bartzokas said. “Also, when you select a player, we believe that it is important he have experience in Europe. Claver will help us at both forward positions and I personally am looking forward to working with him.”
Source: Euroleague.net
