As CSKA Moscow forward Joel Freeland continues to recover from his shoulder injury that he suffered in the side’s EuroLeague match last season with Brose Baskets, the Muscovites have brought in experienced center Jeff Ayres to fill the void left by the British star.

Freeland will not be able to return to training until December, which means that Ayres joins the EuroLeague champions on a two-month contract.

The 29-year-old joins CSKA from the NBA D-League side, the Los Angeles D-Fenders, where he averaged 16.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists, earning him a spot in the All-NBA D-League First Team.

Jeff Ayres

Ayres is also an NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs. He was part of the successful 2014 team but has since made his living in the D-League.

It is expected that Freeland will eventually return to action as early as January 2017.