Famous Russian Basketball Players

Andrei Kirilenko is a prominent figure in the basketball world, having excelled both as a player and executive. He began his professional basketball career in Russia before being drafted into the NBA by the Utah Jazz. Kirilenko garnered numerous accolades during his time in the NBA, showcasing his defensive prowess and earning All-Star honors. He also found success internationally, winning championships with CSKA Moscow and the Russian national team. Kirilenko's contributions to the sport led to his election as president of the Russian Basketball Federation.

Žydrūnas Ilgauskas is a former professional basketball player who played the center position in the NBA. He played for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 1997 to 2010 and the Miami Heat in the 2010-11 season. Ilgauskas was named to the All-Rookie First Team in 1997-98 and is a two-time NBA All-Star. Known for his accurate jump shot and rebounding skills, he overcame injury challenges during his career. Nicknamed Big Z, he holds the Cavaliers' career record for blocked shots and his jersey number 11 has been retired by the team. Ilgauskas later joined the Cavaliers' front office as a special advisor.

Travis Mitchell Hansen is a former professional basketball player who played for the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA. He had a successful basketball career, playing for both Utah Valley and BYU in college before being drafted by the Hawks. After retiring from basketball, Hansen transitioned to entrepreneurship, founding Tesani Companies which includes Tech 9, Lift Credit, Sunshine Heroes Foundation, and Eddy, a SaaS HR solution company. He has demonstrated versatility and success in both sports and business realms.

Rebecca Lynn Hammon is a Russian-American professional basketball coach and former player. She is the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA, having previously been an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA. Hammon is a three-time All-American basketball player for the Colorado State Rams and has played for various teams in the WNBA and internationally. She made history as the first woman head coach in the NBA Summer League and the first woman to be acting head coach in an NBA game. Hammon was also the first Russian head coach in WNBA history and the first Russian Hall of Famer.

Sasha Kaun is a retired Russian professional basketball player known for his successful career in both the United States and Russia. He played college basketball at the University of Kansas, winning an NCAA championship in 2008. After being drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2008, he later played for CSKA Moscow in Russia before joining the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA. Kaun was part of the Cavaliers team that won the NBA championship in the 2015-16 season and also represented Russia in the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Timofey Pavlovich Mozgov is a Russian former professional basketball player known for his achievements in the NBA. He won an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, making him one of the first Russians to do so. Mozgov also had success internationally, winning a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics and EuroBasket 2011 as a member of the Russian national team. Throughout his career, Mozgov played for various NBA teams including the Lakers, Nets, and Magic before returning to Khimki in 2019.

Sergey Karasev is a Russian professional basketball player who currently plays for Zenit Saint Petersburg in the VTB United League. He was selected as the 19th pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Throughout his career, Karasev has showcased his skills on the court, demonstrating versatility and shooting prowess. He has gained valuable experience playing in various leagues, contributing to his growth as a player. Karasev's dedication and passion for the game have helped him establish himself as a respected athlete in the basketball world.

Alexey Viktorovich Shved is a versatile Russian professional basketball player known for his skills at both shooting guard and point guard positions. He has played for various teams, including CSKA Moscow and Shanxi Loongs of the Chinese Basketball Association. Shved has had success in international competitions, winning bronze medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics and EuroBasket 2011 with the Russian national team. He also earned recognition in the EuroLeague, achieving an All-EuroLeague Second Team selection in 2018.

Alexander Alexandrovich Belov, known as Sasha Belov, was a prominent Soviet basketball player renowned for his center position skills. He secured a significant place in basketball history by clinching the game-winning shot in the 1972 Munich Olympics, leading his team to the gold medal. Belov's talent and contributions were further recognized posthumously, with accolades like being named one of FIBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1991 and induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2007. His legacy continues through honors such as being named one of the 101 Greats of European Basketball in 2018.

Svetlana Pankratova is a former professional women's basketball player who gained worldwide recognition for having the longest legs of any woman. She played basketball at Virginia Commonwealth University in the early 1990s, where she set impressive records in blocked shots and field goals. Pankratova later transitioned to coaching and worked as an assistant coach for the Meridian High School girls' basketball team. Her unique physical attributes and basketball skills have made her a notable figure in the world of sports and entertainment.

Senda Berenson Abbott was a pioneering figure in women's basketball, known for introducing and adapting rules specifically for the women's game. She authored the first Basketball Guide for Women and played a significant role in the development and popularization of women's basketball. Abbott's contributions to the sport were recognized with her induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame, the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Her legacy continues to inspire and empower female athletes in the world of basketball.

Joel Bolomboy is a professional basketball player who currently plays for Crvena zvezda in the Serbian KLS, the Adriatic League, and the EuroLeague. He previously played college basketball for the Weber State Wildcats, earning the title of Big Sky Conference Player of the Year in 2016. Bolomboy was born in Ukraine but obtained Russian citizenship in 2018. He has since established himself as a skilled player in the international basketball scene, showcasing his talent and contributing to his team's success.

Sergei Alexandrovich Belov was a renowned Russian professional basketball player who achieved success playing for CSKA Moscow and the Soviet Union national team. Belov is considered one of the greatest European basketball players of all time. He was honored by FIBA as the Best FIBA Player ever and was the first international player to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Belov's accolades include being named to the FIBA All-Time EuroStars Team, induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame, and recognition as one of the 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors.

Andrey Vorontsevich is a Russian professional basketball player known for his role as a power forward on the Nizhny Novgorod team in the VTB United League. With a strong presence on the court, he showcases exceptional skills and versatility in his position. Vorontsevich's professional career is marked by his dedication to the sport and consistent performance, making him a valuable asset to his team. His contributions have not only earned him recognition in the league but also solidified his reputation as a reliable and skilled player.

Pavel Nikolaevitch Podkolzin is a retired professional basketball player from Russia known for his impressive height at 2.26 meters. He had a successful career playing as a center in both the NBA and the NBA Development League. Podkolzin's talent and skills on the court allowed him to compete at the highest level of basketball, showcasing his abilities as a dominant presence in the paint. Throughout his time in professional basketball, he left a lasting impact with his towering stature and defensive prowess.

Epiphanny Prince is a retired Russian-American professional basketball player known for her exceptional scoring abilities. She gained recognition for breaking a national prep record by scoring 113 points in a high school game in 2006. She further showcased her talent by participating in prestigious events like the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and McDonald's High School All-America Games. Throughout her professional career, Prince established herself as a skilled and accomplished player, leaving a lasting impact on the basketball community.

Vladimir Petrovich Tkachenko is a retired Soviet and Russian professional basketball player with an illustrious career. He achieved success both at the international and club levels, winning multiple Olympic Games and FIBA World Cup medals with the Soviet Union national team. Tkachenko was recognized for his outstanding skills and contributions to the sport, receiving prestigious titles such as Euroscar and Mr. Europa. His impressive career spanned 16 years, during which he left a lasting impact on the basketball world, leading to his induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame.

Elena Baranova is a notable Russian former professional basketball player with a successful career in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She made history by being the first player from Europe to join the league during its inaugural season in 1997. Throughout her time in the WNBA, Baranova achieved the prestigious title of being the first All-Star from Russia in 2001. She played for the New York Liberty team until the 2005 season, leaving a lasting impact on the league with her talent and achievements.

Irina Sumnikova is a retired Russian basketball player who had a successful career competing in multiple Olympic Games. She represented her country in basketball at the 1988, 1992, 1996, and 2000 Summer Olympics, showcasing her skills and dedication to the sport at the highest level. Throughout her professional life, Sumnikova demonstrated exceptional talent, commitment, and perseverance as she competed on the international stage, leaving a lasting impact on the world of basketball with her impressive performances.

Cirill Makanda-Etogo is a retired professional basketball player who had a successful ten-year career playing for various teams in Russia, Germany, France, and Cyprus. He showcased his talent internationally by representing Cameroon in major tournaments such as the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men 2008 and the FIBA Africa Championship 2009. Makanda was a key player for Cameroon, leading the team in scoring during crucial games, although they narrowly missed qualifying for the 2010 FIBA World Championship.