Sergey Panov decided to retire

CSKA captain Sergey Panov decided to finish his career as an active player. ‘One should realize the right time to leave, - says forward. – I have become the Euroleague champion this year, once again became Russian champion and realize that there are things in this life that are more interesting for me. Youth basketball development, for example. Now I have a chance to spend more time in my basketball school Panterra. For instance, yesterday Zakhar Pashutin and I had a master class at the school. Children were happy. Also I am going to work at CSKA basketball school. I think that my experience and my knowledge can be useful for the kids’.

Sergey Kuschenko, CSKA president:
- I am not afraid to say that for me Sergey Panov is one of the special persons I have met in my life. He helped me to understand basketball better, to feel the game.
We work together since 2000. We faced several difficult moments: movement from Ural Great to CSKA, the loss of the Final Four in Moscow. We were together as a true friends and we kept on fighting.
He is a true captain of the team. Not because of the coaches decision or any other reason, but because of his leadership. Alexander Gomelsky was a true Russian coach, Panov is embodiment of the Russian player.
Panov is an outstanding person. He achieved a lot of things in his career. Probably he misses the title of the Olympic or World champion…But when we won the trophy in Prague I saw Panov smiling and thought that he really deserved the happiness.

Ettore Messina, CSKA head coach:

- He is an incredible athlete. It was a true honor for me to be the coach of Panov who is a symbol of Russian basketball. He showed leadership, he was a great captain for our team and several times helped us in the crucial moments.

It is rather hard for an athlete to be so intelligent to understand the right moment to retire. I recall Michael Jordan and Michael Plattini to do it on the top of their career. And they would be remembered for these for the rest of their lives. As well as Sergey Panov.