Anatoly Kolesnikov named League's top Kazakh player

Astana forward Anatoly Kolesnikov has been named the VTB United League's top Kazakh player in 2014-15. He was honored on April 19 prior to the Astana - VEF game in Karaganda.

This is the third year that the VTB United League has honored the top players in each country represented by League clubs. In the six countries with just one club (Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan and Finland), the league awards the prize. In Russia, which has 10 clubs, Russian information agency TASS partners with the league to name the top Russian player.

This is the second year in a row that Anatoly Kolesnikov has received the honor. The first winner of the award was Astana teammate Anton Ponomarev in 2012-13.

Kolesnikov played 29 games for Astana, averaging 21.5 minutes, 4.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists and an efficiency rating of 6.7.

- I'm really happy about this award, - Anatoly Kolesnikov said in an interview with VTB-League.com. - This recognition belongs to my teammates and coaches, who helped me get better over the course of the season. I hope that we can make the playoffs this season and surprise people there.