Alex Poythress: "It was like I never left"

On Saturday, April 25, on the eve of the first game of the VTB United League quarterfinal against Uralmash, Alex Poythress returned to the main roster of Zenit. The American center continues his recovery from an injury sustained at the beginning of the 2025/26 season and will be supporting the St. Petersburg team in the playoffs.

Blue-White-Sky Blues media team spoke with Alex exclusively for Zenit TV.

— Alex, glad to see you again in Saint Petersburg. How are you feeling?

— Feeling good, I'm feeling good. Good to see everybody again.

— How is your recovery from the injury going? When will we be able to see you back on the court?

— Recovery's going good. It's going according to plan. Doing some working on the court. Doing stuff in the weight room. Taking it day by day, but everything's according to plan. So, hopefully it'll be soon.

— In your social media, you keep posting videos of your rehab process, captioning them "day by day". Is that a form of motivation for you?

— To me, I'm just trying to take it one day at a time, just trying to win the day. You know what I mean? This rehab can be a long process, though, but if you take it day by day, and when you wake up and you can do your best that day. I think it makes it go by a little bit smoother.

— Unfortunately, a year ago, Xavier Moon was in a similar situation. Did you talk to him about it? Did he give you any valuable advice?

— No. When Xavier got his knee messed up last year, I talked to him about it. I did one of my other knees in college, so I already knew what to go through and how to go through it and the rehab process. So I knew everything going in.

— Have you been following Zenit throughout the season? The team has changed a lot over the past year.

— Yes, it's changed a lot. I watched every game, I talked to all the players still, we some still in on the group chat. So I'm still following like I'm part of the team.

— Today (the interview was recorded on April 25 — note by Zenit), you finally reunited with the team after a long time. What did the guys say to you?

— Nothing, it was just, everybody just embraced me, it was like I never left, so that's it, we're just talking like usual.

— Have you already had a conversation with the head coach Dejan Radonjić?

— Yes, I've talked to him, good dude, good coach. I think he's going to have him ready for this playoff and this series with Uralmash.

— The playoffs are starting. Ahead lies a tough opponent, Uralmash, who already managed to cause us problems this season. What will be the key factor in this matchup?

— Paying attention to detail, with the playoffs and everything, the intensity rises a little bit. So everybody's going to rise to the occasion, play a little bit harder, play a little bit tougher, make more shots. Like, the playoffs are a little bit more intense, it's a little bit better basketball, so you just have to be prepared for that.

— Overall, what are your expectations heading into the playoffs?

— I think this team has a chance to win the title. Especially at a club like Zenit, you always think you can win the title. We fell short last year against CSKA, but this year the goal is still the same. You play to win, so you're still trying to win that title at the end of the year.

— Can you share your plans — will you be with the team until the end of the season?

— Yeah, I'll be here until the end of the season.

— What would you like to say to Zenit fans? They’ve really missed you!

— I hope to see you all soon. Let’s go, Zenit!