Kristaps Janicenoks – League’s top Latvian player

VEF forward Kristaps Janicenoks has been named the VTB United League’s top Latvian player in 2012/13. He received his award prior to Game 3 of the Khimki - VEF quarterfinal series. VTB United League general director Andrey Shirokov was on hand to present Veremeenko with his prize.

The VTB United League inaugurated individual prizes this season for the top players from each of the nine countries featuring at least one League club (the prize is awarded by citizenship, not club allegiance). In the six countries represented by one club (Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Belarus, Czech Republic and Kazakhstan), a panel of League experts determines the winner. The top player from Russia (nine clubs), Lithuania (three clubs) and Ukraine (two clubs) will be chosen by the League in partnership with a leading sports media outlet in that country: Russian information agency R-Sport (RIA Novosti), Lithuanian website basketnews.lt and Ukrainian website basket-planet.com.

Kristaps Janicenoks is the sixth player to be honored. Petr Benda (Nymburk) of the Czech Republic, Tanel Sokk (Kalev) of Estonia, Aaron Cel (Turow) of Poland, Anton Ponomarev (Astana) of Kazakhstan and Vladimir Veremeenko (UNICS) of Belarus already received their awards.

Janicenoks played 24 games for UNICS this season, averaging 11.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and an 8.9 efficiency rating.

- It’s very nice to receive this prize, - said Kristaps Janicenoks in an interview with VTB-League.com – I’d like to thank my teammates and coaches – they helped me play my best and show what I’m capable of.