Khryapa and Monya in Portland

25.06.2004
Draft ceremony of NBA is over. Both players of PBC CSKA were chosen in the first round. Viktor Khryapa was selected by New Jersey Nets by pick 22, his teammate Sergey Monya was selected by Portland by pick 23. Then Nets traded the rights to Viktor Khryapa to the Portland Trail Blazers for G Eddie Gill and cash considerations.

General Manager of Portland John Nash said that both Russian players will have opportunity to show their self in his team.

Another one Russian player Pavel Pokolzin was drafted by Utah Jazz and then traded to Dallas.

After the end of the ceremony players of our club have comment results of the draft:

Sergey Monya:

I was not care about the team. I thought that I will be chosen by higher number and by another team. But finally I moved to Portland, it is good team. I am glad that I and Viktor Khryapa moved to the same team. If we will play together, it is good to have Russian player in the alien city.

Viktor Khryapa:

I am glad to be chosen by Portland. I was on their practices last and this year. Coaching staff of the team liked me. I thought that I will be chosen after 20th number. And New Jersey selected me by pick 23. But I already knew that they will trade me to Portland. I did not think that I and Monya can move to the same team. I became known about it only in the press-centre when I saw him in the same cap.