Sergey Karasev named Young Player of the Year

Triumph (Russia) guard Sergey Karasev has been named VTB United League Young Player of the Year. The announcement was made today at an awards ceremony in Moscow. Karasev received his prize from League President Sergey Ivanov and Vasily Titov, First Deputy President and Chairman of VTB Bank Management Board.

The VTB United League and Championat.com inaugurated the Young Player of the Year award (players 23 years or younger are eligible) at the beginning of this season. The overall winner was selected based on the Young Player of the Month honors, which recognized the top three young players in the League each month, as well as the opinions of League and Championat.com experts.

In the end, 19-year-old Triumph guard Sergey Karasev defeated his peers in a landslide, collecting 23 points to outstrip Krasnye Krylia forward Nikita Balashov (nine points), teammate Evgeniy Valiev (three points) and Lokomotiv-Kuban guard Maxim Grigoriev (three points).

Karasev won the Young Player of the Month award five times during the regular season (Grigoriev won in December). In 18 VTB United League regular-season games (13 as a starter) he averaged 16.3 points (4th in the League), 4.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals and a 14.3 efficiency rating.

Joining Karasev in the symbolic starting five for young players, as determined by VTB United League and Championat.com experts, are forwards Nikita Balashov (Krasnye Krylia) and Evgeniy Valiev (Triumph), guards Nemanja Nedovic (Lietuvos Rytas) and Maxim Grigoriev (Lokomotiv-Kuban).

How the Young Player of the Year was determined

Top 3 of the month*:
1. Sergey Karasev (Triumph) – 17 points (5 – first and 1 – second)
2. Nikia Balashov (Krasnye Krylia) – 5 points (2 – second and 1 – third)
3. Evgeniy Valiev (Triumph) – 3 points (1 – second and 1 – third)
3. Maxim Grigoriev (Lokomotiv-Kuban) – 3 points (1 – first)
5. Justin Hamilton (VEF) – 2 points (1 – second)
5. Oleksandr Lypovyy (Donetsk) – 2 points (1 – second)
7. Andrey Zubkov (Lokomotiv-Kuban) – 1 point (1 – third)
7. Leon Radosevic (Lietuvos Rytas) – 1 point (1 – third)
7. Pavel Korobkov (Nizhny Novgorod) – 1 point (1 – third)
7. Eimantas Bendzius (Lietuvos Rytas) – 1 point (1 – third)

* - 3 points for 1st place in the monthly Top 3, 2 points - 2nd, 1 point - 3rd.

VTB United League experts:
1. Sergey Karasev (Triumph) – 3 points
2. Nikita Balashov (Krasnye Krylia) – 2 points
3. Nemanja Nedovic (Lietuvos Rytas) – 1 point

Championat.com experts:
1. Sergey Karasev (Triumph) – 3 points
2. Nemanja Nedovic (Lietuvos Rytas) – 2 points
3. Nikita Balashov (Krasnye Krylia) – 1 point

Final Results:
1. Sergey Karasev (Triumph) – 23 points
2. Nikita Balashov (Krasnye Krylia) – 8 points
3. Nemanja Nedovic (Lietuvos Rytas), Evgeniy Valiev (Triumph), Maxim Grigoriev (Lokomotiv-Kuban) – 3 points
6. Justin Hamilton (VEF), Oleksandr Lypovyy (Donetsk) – 2 points
8. Andrey Zubkov (Lokomotiv-Kuban), Leon Radosevic (Lietuvos Rytas), Pavel Korobkov (Nizhny Novgorod), Eimantas Bendzius (Lietuvos Rytas) – 1 point

- This award is motivation for all young guys and shows that everything is possible, - says Sergey Karasev. - The competition was serious and I'm happy that I won. I'd also like to point out that young Russian players are getting more playing time. They can demonstrate what they're capable of.

Read the full interview with VTB United League Young Player of the Year Sergey Karasev under Interview.