Anton PonkrashovAs it was rumoured earlier Anton Ponkrashov returned to CSKA Moscow after spending two years on loan at Khimki. 23-year-old shooting guard reached Eurocup and Russian basketball league finals last season. Though neither of them was successful for Khimki.

Anton Ponkrashov was a member of CSKA Moscow before being set to Khimki but he spent most of his time on the bench. He may expect more playing time after gaining valuable experience at Khimki. CSKA Moscow is signing more local players and that also increase chances for Ponkrashov to spend more minutes on the court.

Here are the official statements from CSKA Moscow website made by Ponkrashov and CSKA new head coach Evgeniy Pashutin.

Evgeny Pashutin, CSKA Moscow head coach:

“I am very glad that Anton is back to CSKA. I consider him one of the most promising players in Russian basketball. In two years on rent Ponkrashov matured, he became more experienced. Now he has a chance to prove that he grew up as a player and to show himself on the European level with our team. I would like to wish him good luck. I am sure he will help CSKA.”

Anton Ponkrashov:

“I wanted to get back to CSKA badly. First of all, because Evgeny Pashutin is a head coach of the team, and I won U20 European Championship with him at the helm of Team Russia. Very interesting team is gathering here and it is interesting for me to try myself in it, to help it win – and we don’t have other goals rather than winning. It is a honor for me to become the part of CSKA. I think this time I am ready, I play much better, I became smarter as a player.”

Anton Ponkrashov was averaging 4.9 points and 3.1 assists per game in 13 Eurocup appearances last season. He was more valuable in Russian League with 7.8 points per game.

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