CSKA signed Ivan Radenovic

29.09.2009
Ivan Radenovic (photo M. Serbin, cskabasket.com)
Forward Ivan Radenovic (25 years, 208 cm) signed a 1-year contract with our club today. Serb played for Greek Panellinios last season.

Radenovic who can play both power forward and center positions began playing in Partizan Belgrade junior team. Making no serious appearances for his hometown team Ivan went to USA in 2003 where played for University of Arizona team. In his senior year the player was nominated to different Pac-10 All-conference teams but was not drafted by NBA clubs and went to play in Europe. He played for Girona in Spain in 2007-08, then for Panellinios in Greece in 2008-09. His team was eliminated from Eurocup in Last 16, Radenovic statistics – 12 games, 14.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals. Ivan was also named the MVP of Eurocup’s 3rd round. The players statistics in the Greek league – 25 games, 11.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.9 steals.

Andrey Vatutin, PBC CSKA president:

- I understand that in recent years we have taught fans with signing veteran, well-known foreign players, with loud names in world basketball. Now the selection is quite different. The economic situation has forced us to pay the high price, to part with players, to sale them, including those who play on the positions of 4 and 5. Unfortunately, without these forced decisions, we could not get a balanced budget. Originally we did not plan to strengthen the roster before the season - rather, we kept in mind this possibility in the winter. But we got into difficult situation with three big players injured - Smodis, Khryapa and Kaun. Of course, we look forward to the play of Vorontsevich and Sokolov, Kurbanov also can play as 4, although, in general, it is not his position, there is a young Artem Zabelin, who is actually spent a year outside from basketball because of knee injury. But their efforts may prove insufficient, the load is too large and, therefore, the risks are very high. Perhaps Radenovic is not a star today, but he looks like perfect addition in these conditions: Ivan is well-trained, hard-working player, good person, who surely will perfectly fit the team and will play an important role in it. I wish him luck and I would like to say: we will do everything to be sure that CSKA is his club.

Evgeny Pashutin, CSKA Head Coach:

- Ivan is young, talented, he was among the candidates for Serbian National Team for the Eurobasket. He is athletic, quick big player, who is able to play with his back to the basket and can score from the perimeter. He went through American basketball school, has good experience of playing in Europe. In the current situation with the Smodis injury we expect that Ivan will help us strengthen the problematic position.