Dmitry signed 3-year (1+2) contract, Mikhail – 5-year (2+3) contract.
Kulagin brothers are the Timiriazevskaya Sports School alumni, Alexey Zhukov, current CSKA junior project coach, started working with them in their young age. Upon graduation both brothers played for CSKA JBL team. Dmitry won the JBL twice in red-blue colors – in 2008 and 2009, Mikhail took the relay next season, winning gold in 2010.
Kulagin Sr. also played for Nizhny Novgorod (2009-11), then played one year in Triumph, Krasnye Krylia, Triumph again and Zenit St.Petersburg. Last season he played in 10 Eurocup games (10.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.2 blocked shots, 29.3 minutes) and 26 VTB United League games (10.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.2 blocked shots, 28.6 minutes). Dmitry debuted for the National Team in 2014 helping it to qualify for the Eurobasket. The player took part in 3 games with totals of 23 minutes, 8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals, he is called to the National Team this year again. The senior brother has also huge experience of playing for the junior level teams. He has won 2013 Universiade, 2010 U18 European Championship silver (voted to All-Tournament Team), 2011 U19 World Championship bronze (voted to All-Tournament Team), played on 2008 U16 European Championship (voted to All-Tournament Team) and 2009 U18 European Championship.
Mikhail played in Triumph Lyubertsy team structure after leaving CSKA, he defended Rossiya colors last season. Misha played in 34 Russian Superleague games averaging 14.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 steals in 28.6 minutes. He was always in high need of the National Team coaches of different generations. In 2012 he was voted to U18 European Championship All-Tournament Team. During 2013 U19 World Championship Kulagin Jr. averaged 14.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.0 steals in 31.4 minutes, in last year U20 European Championship he recorded 12.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.9 steals in 26.1 minutes per game. This summer the Army Men newcomer won Universiade bronze and deserved to be called for the National Team camp by coach Evgeny Pashutin.
Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:
Dmitry is one of the most talented players of his age who proved that he is able to improve every year. We had several talks and he expressed big wish to play for our team. In fact he started his career in CSKA structure so he knows perfectly what to expect, the level of competition and ready to take the challenge. Good for us that Dmitry is able to cover both 2- and 3-spot, he has size and he is creative.
Misha is young guard, we had eyes on him while he was playing for Rossiya team. He has obvious potential, but he has to work hard and listen carefully not only to the coaches but to his experienced teammates as well.
I think our new addition work not only for the club’s future but for the present too. Everything is on their shoulders, their perspectives depend on how much they are motivated and concentrated. The club shows that we are ready to pay big attention to promising Russian players. Our eyes are open, we are following young players and we will be happy to see them on the team if they show that they deserve it.
Dmitry Kulagin, CSKA guard:
It is a big pleasure and huge responsibility to come back to CSKA, the great club. I wanted it badly, I strived to it and I know it won’t be easy. I sincerely wish to take this chance, to win titles with the team where I played as a kid, where I started to grow as a player. I will work hard and I’ll do my best to live up to expectations.
Mikhail Kulagin, CSKA guard:
I am unbelievably happy to get back to my native club. I promise that I will work hard to improve, to live up to the expectations of the management, head coach and fans. Thank you all for your trust!
