Daniil Aksenov: "It is very important to give the fans victories and beautiful matches"

Zenit-2 newcomer Daniil Aksenov shared details about rest and preparation in the off-season. The point guard talked about how he followed the basketball tournament at the Olympics and addressed the fans on the eve of the club's 10th birthday.

— How did you spend this summer? Maybe there are some interesting details about your holiday?

— The most interesting thing is probably when you go on holiday after a hard season. I was in Thailand for the first time, got divorced, learnt a new culture and I really enjoyed it. I would like to go back there. And so, the summer goes according to the classic scheme: training, improving my physical condition and improving my basketball skills.

— Did you manage to go to the Far East? Maybe you visited home in your small homeland?

— Yes, of course. Every year I visit my parents in Khabarovsk and spend some time there. This time I managed to stay a month longer. In principle, it's a big plus.

— This summer there were football Euro 2024 and basketball tournaments at the Olympic Games in Paris. Which of these competitions did you pay attention to? Were any highlights memorable?

— Honestly, I didn't watch football. Yes, I used to be fond of it, but it somehow moved aside. Basketball, I think I watched almost all games except for friendly games. The attention was, of course, on the USA, on their game. Even if you are not a professional athlete, you get pleasure, pleasure from their matches. Serbia, Germany, France — these were the teams that were a pleasure to follow. And of course South Sudan, who almost surprised us. The guys are writing a cool story.

— At the Olympic tournament, the best team was again the USA. And in your opinion, the best basketball player happens to be from the Serbian national team?

— The best? I guess if we were to choose the best not from the winning team, it would be strange. So it's a pretty good decision to recognise LeBron James as the MVP. But I really liked Stephen Curry's play, the last few games where he scored 36, scored some very important points. I think he was the only one who could challenge the best player in the Olympics. It was either LeBron or him.

— Do you see any similarities between yourself and Curry? Do you strive to play similar basketball?

— The only similarity is that I like to shoot three-pointers, too (laughs). That's one of my strengths. Well, I can't say. I don't look alike. All players are unique. You can, of course, take something, but in fact it turns out that you still create your own style. But I like the confidence he does it on, the way he plays.

— On Sunday, 18 August, Zenit turn 10 years old. This will be the eleventh season in the club's history. What could you wish to the fans and what tasks do you set for yourself?

- First of all, I would like to wish the fans to enjoy the game. I know that they feel a sense of belonging to the club. And that's why it is very important to give the fans victories, beautiful matches. Some kind of personal... I don`t know, honestly. I don`t set such global goals, and I don`t like to talk about it. So I just train, show as much as possible how I can help the first and second team here and now.