"We will see more world-class superstars on our floor"
Alexander Medvedev is a big figure in Russian sports. Over the years, Alexander Ivanovich led the SKA hockey (2006-2011), the KHL (2008-2014), Zenit football (2019-2025), and also hosted major tennis tournaments in the Northern Capital — the St. Petersburg Open and the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy. Since 2019, Medvedev has been chairman of the Board of Directors of Zenit BC, which in a short period of time became a grandee, having managed to make noise in the Euroleague. In an interview with Izvestia and Sport-Express, the functionary spoke about his love for basketball, as well as about negotiations with Europe's most decorated coach Zeljko Obradovic and the possible naturalization of blue-white-blue captain Trent Fraser.
"If Zenit had played in the Euroleague, then Pascual could have stayed"
— Recently, Zenit's long-time coach, Chavi Pascual, was inducted into the VTB United League Hall of Fame. Do you continue to communicate with the specialist after his departure from St. Petersburg?
— Javi Pascual was deservedly included in the Hall of Fame, having worked for Zenit for five years, breaking the winning monopoly of CSKA, winning the main title of Russian basketball, having managed to create a team with his own style — beautiful, spectacular and effective, fusing the talents and abilities of Russians and foreign players. We communicate regularly, though infrequently. I am following Barca's game in the Euroleague, which is fighting for a place in the playoffs, and the Spanish championship, where they, like us, are in third place. We are looking forward to the relegation games. Both them and us.
— What is the most memorable moment associated with Pascual that immediately comes to mind?
— Of course, this is the seventh game of the final series against CSKA in a winning season, where he was intentionally sent off in the second half. This shook up and turned on Zenit's basketball players, who eventually crushed the Army team in the final quarter.
— Alexander Sekulic replaced Cavi in the summer, but he only stayed in the team for six months. Was there an opportunity to leave the Spaniard? Or was the defeat in the final series by CSKA very painful?
— If Zenit had played in the Euroleague, I think Xavi would have stayed. But now the Catalan is coaching Barcelona. He dreamed about it, and his dream came true, which I am sincerely glad about.
— Commenting on Sekulich's departure, you said that you couldn't harness a horse and a quivering doe into one cart. Does this mean that Zenit will never hire part-time coaches again?
— The work in the club and in the national team is very different in any team sport, at least in terms of the duration of the competition and the composition. Therefore, even when there are no prohibitions, I don't see the point. Today with the national team, and tomorrow with the cook and cook at the club.
Is it true that Sekulic promised to leave the national team, but in January unexpectedly decided to continue working with the national team until 2027?
— It turned out to be voluntary, but it happened. There is nothing to comment and there is no need.
"We talked with Obradovic, Djordjevic and Trinchieri"
— Could you tell us now who was considered for Sekulic's place before Dejan Radonic was invited? They say that you have held talks with Zeljko Obradovic, Sasha Djordjevic and Andrea Trinchieri. Why couldn't we reach an agreement?
— We considered a shortlist of candidates, in addition to Radonic, including the coaches you mentioned. We talked to Obradovic, Djordjevic and Trinchieri. They are all well-known specialists with great victories behind them. However, accepting a formed team in the middle of the season is a difficult challenge that not everyone is ready to accept.
— In your opinion, is Radonic capable of taking the title this year and gaining a foothold in the team?
— If we didn't think so, we wouldn't have made such a choice. We believe that Deyan, with the support of Vergun and Uchaykin, will deliver the game that the fans are waiting for, and the winning spirit is a common cause, including our loyal fans.
— Could you remember the coach with whom you had the most interesting conversations not related to sports? Not necessarily a basketball specialist.
— I was lucky enough to communicate with many strong specialists, but I would especially mention Anatoly Vladimirovich Tarasov and Vladimir Vladimirovich Yurzinov. Unique and multifaceted personalities, from whom I tried to take at least a little bit.
— What is the reason for the change of team captain? Is this also a step to cheer up Sergey Karasev?
— Sergey is a great master who is going through a difficult stage in his career, largely due to extremely unpleasant injuries that do not allow him to express himself in all his glory. That's why it's important for him to overcome his troubles and get in shape so that we can see Sergey as a leader again, both on the floor and in the locker room.
"Leading European clubs are steadily showing interest in Fraser"
— Trent Fraser, who has been playing in St. Petersburg for the fourth season, became the new captain. Does Fraser really want to become a Russian citizen and play for the national team?
— Trent is a key player at Zenit, who himself expressed a desire to become a Russian citizen and play for our national team. However, for reasons I don't understand, the Russian Basketball Federation is delaying this process, which, in my opinion, is bad for both sporting and civic reasons.
— Have you received offers for Trent over the years?
— The leading European clubs playing in the Euroleague are steadily showing interest in Trent (the 27-year-old point guard was twice recognized as the most valuable player of the month of the United League, and also became the MVP of the 2026 All—Star Game. - Ed.).
— Reveal the secret: how to bring a Dwayne Bacon-level star to Russia in the current period?
— Zenit Basketball, as an integral part of Zenit FC, has not only its own, but also a joint reputation and authority. And, of course, the glory of our city, the sports capital of Russia, known worldwide for its beauty, liveability and sporting achievements.
— The last player who surprised you with his requests? Not necessarily financially.
— Hardly anyone can surprise me with unreasonable requests, given the experience of negotiating. We quickly restore it to a reasonable state.
— Is there a basketball player whom you have been wanting to invite to Zenit for several years, but something is not coming together?
— My answer is this: we will see European and world-class superstars on our floor.
— Are you satisfied with the attendance of KSK Arena?
— Zenit is one of the two most visited clubs in the United League, with sold—out shows. But I would like to be asked for an extra ticket at every match!
"I managed to see Jordan play live a couple of times"
— Does the fact that top-4 teams almost always sell out their matches indicate the popularity of basketball in Russia?
— Basketball in the United League is of a very high level, four or five of our clubs could compete in the Euroleague. We have great historical victories, we have medals at the Olympics, world and European championships. Match TV does a lot to promote basketball. So the foundation and the lower floors are there, it's time to go to the upper floors and the attic!
— Alexey Borisovich Miller attended the team's playoff games last season. Is the head of Gazprom impressed by basketball?
— Alexey Borisovich, as a true strategist, supports the entire Zenit system and, when he succeeds — unfortunately, not as often as we would like — attends important matches. We hope to please him with a beautiful game and victories this season.
— Do you remember the moment when you realized that basketball is a great game?
— It so happened that there were three classes in the school I graduated from. My math class, my music class, which was mostly girls, and my sports class, which specialized in basketball. The school became the vice-champion among sports schools. I was attracted to the games because of my lankiness, for three or four minutes at a time, with access to a fixed position and a throw to the basket. That's how I became a discharger. And I realized the charm of the game in winning games with beer lovers at the Luzhniki Stadium, which was customary in that distant, wonderful time.
— Who is your favorite player of all time?
— Michael Jordan, whose performance I've seen live a couple of times. It was something!
— What is the greatest basketball game you've seen live?
— The Russia–Argentina game at the London Olympics. Then Alexey Shved made a crazy throw, which brought our team the bronze medals of the 2012 Games.
— Do you believe in the European NBA draft?
— There are too many rumors and few specifics about the European NBA project.
— Did representatives of the project come to Zenit?
— We'll wait and see. They haven't come out yet.
— Does Zenit Basketball have any prospects of getting its own home arena?
— The current generation of basketball players will play in the KSK Arena. Although there is a dream to play at the SKA Arena and gather a full house.
— During its short career, Zenit Basketball Academy has already trained a number of talented players at the national team level. Are you proud of this project?
— The vertical of BC Zenit has been created, is working and is bearing fruit. We'll be proud when a couple of students, if not in the starting five, then spend 15-20 minutes in each match.
— Recently, a colleague, Yuri Golyshak, posted a screenshot that you worked for us at SE, heading the online version. Do you have a favorite story about that period?
— The Internet project of the Sport-Express publication, a project of a real sports portal initiated by me, was implemented more than a quarter of a century ago for the Olympic Games in Sydney and immediately became the most visited sports resource in Russia. This turned out to be possible thanks to the response of the then owner of the publication, Ivan Rubin, a combination of pioneering journalism and young journalists, technological innovations and, most importantly, the enthusiasm of the participants. But this is a long and picturesque story in its own right.
— I've been rereading your memoirs about Andrei Tarkovsky, whom you personally knew. Could you name your favorite masterpiece of the master?
— "The Passion for Andrey" (director's version of the film "Andrey Rublev". — Ed.) and "Mirror".
— Top 3 favorite films of Alexander Medvedev?
— From other authors besides maestro, these are "Twin Peaks", "Fargo" and "The Fate of Man".
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
