Alexander Tserkovny: "Signing Shved is the best option in our situation"

Zenit Basketball Club CEO Alexander Tserkovny in an interview with Timur Ganeev, editor-in-chief of Sport-Express, spoke about the reasons for Omari Spellman's departure, Xavier Moon's injury and the arrival of two newcomers.

— Alexander Vitalievich, 2025 started off tough for Zenit with the serious injury to team leader Xavier Moon and the decision to remove Omari Spellman from the roster. Could you explain what happened to the American big man after the game against Lokomotiv Kuban? Fans wrote about a conflict between the player and sports director Manos Papadopoulos.

— Omari is undoubtedly a very talented player, and I’m grateful that he agreed to join us despite having no prior experience playing in Europe. This is one of those cases where a player couldn’t quickly adapt to a new style of basketball. We tried to help him integrate into the team as quickly as possible, but the situation developed in a way that required us to make changes. Regarding the conflict, there wasn’t one. There was just an emotional reaction from the player to in-game feedback.

— You decided to replace Spellman with Okaro White. On one hand, he has extensive and successful experience in the VTB League. On the other, he has had disciplinary issues in two consecutive playoff seasons. Obviously, you considered this when deciding to sign Okaro. Did White promise there would be no further incidents?

— It’s incredibly difficult to predict how replacements will work midseason. With Okaro, we knew who we were signing. He’s a proven fighter and a great team player. We expect him to strengthen our defense. I can’t comment on his discipline without knowing the details, but emotions on the court are an integral part of the game, and managing players is primarily the coach’s responsibility.

— What kind of shape is White in now? Do you have any insight into why such an experienced player was without a team for six months?

— We can only assess his form once he begins training. I know that Okaro has been working out individually. Two years ago, he also joined Lokomotiv Kuban midseason without prior game practice, and that didn’t stop him from becoming a key figure in their playoff semifinal victory [against CSKA]. As for why he was without a team, you’d have to ask him — maybe he was waiting for an offer from Zenit.

— When will Okaro be able to join the team?

— The visa process is underway. We’re doing everything possible to bring him to St. Petersburg as soon as possible.

— Will Moon remain with Zenit, or will he head to the U.S. for treatment?

— Xavier just left for the U.S. We expect him to return closer to the playoffs to rejoin the team.

— You signed Alexey Shved to replace Moon. Was he your first choice, or did you consider other free agents?

— I would say it was the best option in our situation. Again, he’s a player the coach can easily integrate into the team.

— How do you assess Alexey’s motivation after returning from China? Do you believe he can become a team leader?

— If Alexey brings out his best qualities at Zenit, he’ll undoubtedly be a great asset for us.

— Will Shved’s arrival increase fan interest in home games? Have you seen a spike in ticket demand?

— Tomorrow and in the upcoming games, there will definitely be people coming specifically to see Alexey Shved. Beyond that, it will depend on how he and the team perform.

— Are you generally satisfied with attendance this season?

— Ticket demand and attendance have been steadily growing each season. But I’ll only be satisfied when every game is sold out.

— Dwayne Bacon missed the game against Samara. Will the American be ready for the key matchup against CSKA on February 2?

— Dwayne has a minor injury. We gave him some time to rest and recover.

— In your opinion, can Igor Volkhin become a leader and reach a high level while playing for Nizhny Novgorod? After this loan spell, are you expecting him to return to Zenit in better form?

— Nizhny Novgorod traditionally provides great opportunities for Russian players to develop. This season, we’ve seen a good example with Artem Antipov, whom we also loaned out. Igor Volkhin has tremendous potential, and he needs playing time. Right now, we have tough competition in his position. We expect Igor to return after the season in better form and take a step forward next year.

— What are your expectations for the upcoming game against CSKA?

— It will be a very tough game for us. CSKA is in great form, and at this stage, they’re a more cohesive team with no roster issues.