Russian basketball player Daniil Kasatkin. Biography

Daniil Kasatkin is a Russian basketball player who played for the IBA club and was involved in the expanded Russian national team. From an early age, he proved himself to be one of the most promising point guards of his generation. In 2025, he became widely known after being detained in France at the request of the United States, where he was suspected of involvement in cybercrimes.

Childhood and early career

Daniil Kasatkin was born on January 25, 1999 in the city of Vichuga, Ivanovo region. As a child, his father brought him to gymnastics, but due to his rapid growth, the boy had to change his sport at the age of five. Kasatkin admits that his interest in basketball was aroused after watching the movie "Space Jam" (1996) with legendary basketball player Michael Jordan.

At the age of six, he began playing basketball seriously after graduating from the CSKA school. Even as a junior, Kasatkin showed outstanding results there: for example, he scored a triple-double in the final of the European Youth League.

Study and experience in the USA

In 2015, Kasatkin joined the Dynamo system. In his debut season, he became the club's best assistant, giving an average of 10.5 assists per game, and was recognized as the most valuable player of the Russian youth championship.

In 2016, he traveled to the United States, where he played for the Mountain Mission school team in Virginia, and then enrolled at Penn State University. There, he played for the Penn State Nittany Lions collegiate team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), although he received little playing time. The basketball player himself noted that this experience allowed him to train with players who later became professionals.

Return to Russia and professional career

In 2019, Kasatkin returned to Russia, joining Khimki, where he played for the Khimki-Moscow Region farm club for two seasons. In 2021, he joined the Moscow club "IBA", making his debut in the VTB United League. In four seasons with the team, he played 172 matches, scored more than 1,500 points, and twice — in 2023 and 2025 — became the bronze medalist of the Cup of Russia. He was noted as a talented passer with excellent vision of the court and a rare height for a point guard of about 198 cm.

Appearances for national teams

Kasatkin was repeatedly involved in the youth national teams of Russia, performed at international tournaments. In 2022, as a member of the Moscow national team, he won the basketball tournament as part of the All-Russian Spartakiad of the Strongest. In the summer of 2024, he was included in the expanded Russian national team to participate in the Friendship Cup.

Detention in France and return to Russia

Kasatkin was detained in France at the request of the United States on July 10, 2025. At that time, the athlete's lawyer, Frederick Belo, said that the Russian was probably accused of extortion due to the use of his computer by intruders. Later, on August 27, Kasatkin's request for release under judicial supervision was rejected.

In October, a Paris court ordered Kasatkin's extradition to the United States. In turn, the Russian Embassy condemned the French decision, calling the US accusations unfounded. The athlete then decided not to challenge the court's decision on his extradition.

The situation changed in 2026: on January 8, Belo announced that Kasatkin had been released from prison. French Prime Minister Sebastian Lecorn did not sign the decision on Kasatkin's extradition to the United States. This information was confirmed by the Russian FSB, adding that the athlete was exchanged for French citizen Laurent Vinatier (recognized as a foreign agent in the Russian Federation), who was found guilty of espionage in 2024.

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