“Cyprus for a great preparation”
Russian center Sasha Kaun is looking forward to the battles in Cyprus and the Love Cyprus Basketball Tournament
Sasha Kaun, the 25 year old Russian center, believes that by playing in the Love Cyprus Basketball Championship will help his team tremendously ahead of the FIBA World Championships. His battle against Sofoklis Schortsianitis in Cyprus and in Turkey can only be won through team work and strong defense, according to the 211 cm big man.
- How far can Russia reach in the FIBA World Championships?
I think we have a very good chance for a good run. We have a lot of good players and a talented squad, so it will be up to us to play well together as a team and focus on defence.
- Will playing against Greece in the Love Cyprus Basketball Tournament give an advantage for your match against them in Turkey?
I believe that by just playing in the Love Cyprus Basketball Tournament against good teams and especially against Greece will prepare us in a great level for the upcoming World Championships.
- How will you stop Greece’s big man Sofoklis Schortsianitis?
He is a big body guy, and it is hard to play against him. We have to be tough, use our length and try to play defence as a team rather than individually.
- Are you considering a try in the NBA, since your rights belong to the Cavaliers?
We are looking into it; there is so much stuff that is going on right now with free agency, so a lot of pieces need to fall for me to go. It's an option but I don't know as of right now.
INFO
* Enjoy the National Team of Russia and all their stars in Cyprus between 6 and 8 of August. On the 6th, Russia will confront Croatia at the “Tassos Papadopoulos-Eleftheria” stadium, on the 7th they will play against Greece in “Spyros Kyprianou” at Limassol and on the 8th they will return to Nicosia for the match against Germany. For more info on www.lovecyprusbasketball.com.
* Russia competes in Group C of the FIBA World Championships that will take place in Turkey between 28 of August and 2 September 2010. The “bears” will face host Turkey, Greece, Puerto Rico, China and Ivory Coast.
