Dmitry Kulagin: "I will do everything necessary to help my team win"

Zenit guard Dmitry Kulagin gave an interview to the club’s press service, speaking about meeting his teammates and the first practice under Duško Ivanović. He also shared his mindset ahead of the upcoming season and addressed the Blue-White-Sky Blues’ fans.

— Dmitry, welcome to Zenit! How did your meeting with your teammates go?

— Thank you. I already know many of the guys on our team. I’ve crossed paths with many of them, played alongside some of them, and competed against others. However, I’d like to point out one thing: there is something that always remains unchanged — our goals and objectives. My personal goals and objectives are always to win and compete for the championship. That is what I see here after speaking with the coaching staff and having our first practice.

There is only one mindset. We all speak the same language — the language of basketball and the language of winning. I’d also like to point out that we have a lot of young and promising players with us right now, and we are training together. They are ambitious, and from the very first day they have shown that they are ready for contact, ready to compete and challenge each other, which is certainly encouraging.

With this kind of enthusiasm and these prospects, we have started our preparations for another VTB United League season. As we know, it is always challenging, but also interesting and exciting. I hope this season will be no exception, and that my team will do everything possible and give maximum effort to play basketball — most importantly, high-quality and exciting basketball for our fans — and, ultimately, achieve the goals that have been set for us and win.

— As you have already mentioned, the training camp in St. Petersburg has begun. What are your impressions of the first practice, and what are your expectations from working under such an experienced coach as Duško Ivanović?

— You know, when it comes to training, the first day is always difficult. It’s one thing to stay in shape on your own, play basketball somewhere else, and prepare for the season, and another thing to start working at this kind of intensity. It’s not easy, but it’s interesting. This is our job. And the most important thing I’d like to point out is that all the guys are ready for it.

As for the coach, I believe all the information about him is available online. Everyone can look it up, and I think many basketball fans already know very well who Duško Ivanović is and are familiar with his achievements and credentials. We all understand that he is a highly experienced and accomplished coach who is well known throughout Europe, so for me personally, it is a great honor.

And finally, or to answer your question more specifically, I believe that the most important thing is the results the team will achieve. Something tells me that his coaching style will suit all of us, and with the players we currently have on the roster, we can confidently compete for the championship.

— Perhaps you have a few words for the St. Petersburg fans who are looking forward to seeing you and, you could say, your second debut for Zenit?

— You are absolutely right. I spent three years of my career here, and I have many friends and acquaintances both in the city itself and within the Zenit organization. Most importantly, I remember the warmth with which all Zenit fans treated me. I remember their words of support, their attention and all those kind gestures. So I am happy to welcome everyone back and proud to represent the club from the banks of the Neva at this stage of my career. In any case, I will do everything necessary to help my team win.