Zenit presented the team before the start of the season
On September 18, Zenit Basketball Club held a presentation of the main team. The event was held at the blue-whites home arena and was timed to coincide with the start of the 2024/25 season
The presentation began with a practice session led by head coach Xavier Pascual. It was held for the first time in an open format for fans and the press. Despite the open nature of the event, the coaching staff did not alter their usual plan —everything proceeded as part of the normal preparation for the first game of the VTB United League regular season.
The training started with a classic throws part, followed by stretching exercises. The team's strength and conditioning coach Jure Drakslar led a set of flexibility and warm-up exercises. During the main part of the session, the team worked on tactical aspects and offensive elements. Throughout the entire session, Xavier Pascual was assisted by his coaching team: Inigo Zorzano, Adamantios Panagiotopoulos, and Maxim Uchaykin. For the fans, the practice ended with long-range shots from the middle of the court, which were met with applause from the audience.
The official part of the presentation kicked off with a performance by the cheerleading team. The appearance of updated team mascots, lions Dvushkin and Treshkin, surprised everyone in attendance.
Afterward, a press conference was held with the club's management, coaching staff, and team members. Chairman of the board of Zenit, Alexander Medvedev, remarked that the event was a unique experience for everyone present:
Today, you witnessed a full training session in real-time. Now you understand: to play well, you need to train well. We are entering a unique season — next year, Zenit's system turns 100 years old, and the basketball club, part of this big family, celebrates its 10th anniversary. It is important to note that the ceremony of awarding the players their jerseys has a special meaning. Receiving a jersey is not just about signing a contract. It means joining the Zenit family.
Speaking about the transfer campaign this offseason, Xavier Pascual emphasized the need to find balance in both offense and defense. He pointed out that this will take time before any conclusions can be drawn:
I want to welcome the newcomers and thank all the players who stayed with the team. You need to understand that we have a refreshed squad — six new players. You could say that out of the top four VTB League teams from last season, we’ve undergone the most changes. It will take time to get everyone on the same page.
When asked about Zenit’s main competitors for the upcoming season, Zenit’s CEO, Alexander Tserkovny, mentioned a VTB United League team that is poised to challenge this season:
I think our competitors remain the same. Uralmash is a very interesting team. They deservedly joined the ranks of those contending for top spots in the championship. In terms of competition, the main thing is to show what we are capable of — getting the most out of what was laid down during preseason and being in peak condition for the decisive matches.
The new captain of the blue-whites, Sergey Karasev, shared his thoughts on the open practice, even though he did not participate:
It’s very pleasant when people come to support you not only at games but also at training sessions. Every fan is important to us. The atmosphere and the feelings we get during games in front of a full crowd are priceless.
Towards the end of the show, the season’s concept honoring the club’s 10th anniversary was revealed, along with a traditional video. All players were ceremonially presented with their jerseys. At the conclusion of the presentation, fans had the chance to interact with the players, get autographs, and take memorable photos with the team.
