"I've been reviewing Kirilenko's games entirely"

Vsevolod Ishchenko's game is one of the most enjoyable discoveries of the past VTB League season. The 20-year-old defender surprised with his confidence, willingness to take on the game and willingness to tough contact. At the end of July, he made his debut for the national team and was one of the best in the second game against Iran, in which our team took convincing revenge from the neighbors (79:58) for the defeat in the first match (67:70). In an interview with Izvestia, Vsevolod Ishchenko spoke about his preferences in basketball and his first coach.

"Our sparring partners are very decent in isolation"

— The first game against Iran was difficult for our team and ended in defeat. In the second one, you defeated your rivals. What has changed in one day off?

— Our game was characterized by a heightened mood and aggressiveness. From the very beginning, we played hard in one-on-one defense, which made it easier in attack.

— You scored several times in beautiful passes. This is already becoming your thing.

— The coach said that when the "big ones" play a shift, they should attack right away. That's how I scored my points.

— Did you easily join this team or did you feel a little out of place?

— Rather the latter. Still, there are differences compared to the youth team. Plus, there wasn't much time to get used to each other. I would like to note that guys like Alexander Gankevich, Vlad Yemchenko and Ivan Ukhov tried very hard to unite us, to quickly introduce the young people into the training process, in everyday communication.

— You were often in the draw with Iran, and last season we saw you in three positions. Which one is closest to you?

— My favorite is the first. I only played it when I was a kid. As it started to grow, it was pushed to the second. And now Loko is being used more at the base on the third number. I can say that it's not close to me, but so far it is.

— Why did you choose number 23?

— When I joined Loko, my usual fifth number was occupied, so I decided to take the 23rd, which was free. Two great players played under him, Michael Jordan and LeBron James, and pure arithmetic.: 2 + 3 = 5.

"Why the fifth?"

— It fits the year of birth — 2005.

— This is your first training camp under the leadership of Zoran Lukic. How do you like his coaching style?

— It is similar to the style of Roman Semerninov. Roman Evgenievich said at the U-20 training camp that we will prepare you for the main national team, practice according to similar patterns, so that you understand what Zoran's coaching staff wants from you. This is a strict system where you have to follow the coach's plan, his installation, but it is not forbidden to improvise.

"Melo is my mom's favorite player, he's not for sale"

CSKA President Andrey Vatutin — about the championship, Trimble, Avramovich and the rivalry with Zenit

— How did you spend your off-season?

— After losing in the series for the third place, we stayed to train in Krasnodar for another two or three weeks. Gym, individual training without contact. We can say that we were developing our basketball skills. Then I went home. I went on vacation with my mom and sister. After that, I began to train individually on the street. Shooting, dribbling, sometimes playing with the guys who came to the court. And from Rostov I have already gone to the location of the national team.

— How would you rate the RFB's work in finding sparring partners?

— Very decent in isolation. Last year we went to Serbia with the U-20. We played against two local teams and the Angolan national team. It's a great experience. Then this team went to qualify for the Olympic Games and lost to Spain in a very worthy fight in the end. We watched this match and then said that we were fine. Almost like the Spaniards. (Laughs.)

This year, the U-20 played against Serbia, Slovenia (and with a more mature age), Switzerland, and Armenia. The national team played two matches with Iran, now we will go to Egypt. The Iranians are ranked 28th in the FIBA rankings, which is a good level.

"We tried to do without surgery, but conservative treatment did not help"

— Let's talk about last season, when the general public found out about you. You made a great start, but then you were out for a long time due to an ankle injury. Why was there such a long rehabilitation process?

— There were difficulties. At first, they tried to do without surgery. It seemed like it was possible, but conservative treatment didn't help. After all, I had to go to the operating table. It's a shame that I missed so much, but I have everything ahead of me.

— In addition to playing very confidently offensively, you showed great defensive skills. Who was the hardest person to defend against?

"Against Melo Trimble." He doesn't really throw long shots, but the first step and the rhythm change are very fast. It took me a while to adjust.

— Which of the top players was easy to restrain?

— I just haven't been with anyone. Probably, everyone remembers my duel with Dwayne Bacon in the semifinal series. And by the way, he didn't seem to be making contact so aggressively. He was more focused on medium-range shots and "three-shots". And I was comfortable defending myself.

— And with whom of the partners did you fight the most in training?

— With Antonius Cleveland. He was my closest friend from the legionnaires. It all started back in the pre-season. We often stayed to play after the main lesson, prompted a lot, even defended in front of the coaches at some moments. Working with him has given me a lot in terms of confidence.

— Were you inspired by any of the Russian players?

— If not by position, then I will name Andrey Kirilenko. An all-rounder who reads the game superbly. The protection is at an exorbitant level. I watched his matches in their entirety.

— And of those who still play?

— The Swede. I am very confident in myself. If you give him the opportunity to throw 20 times, he will do it.

Historical selection: Demin sets Russian record in the NBA Draft

Our basketball player was taken by the Brooklyn Nets at the eighth peak

— Who is your favorite NBA player?

— I like Doncic. Due to his basketball IQ, he's on foot, throwing everyone around with his eyes. Jokic has incredible technique, despite his size. I like Anthony Edwards and Shay Gilges-Alexander for their movement and athleticism.

— What would you say about Egor Demin's chances of gaining a foothold in Brooklyn?

— It seems to me that in the first season he has every chance to get a lot of playing time and improve his skills a lot. Egor was lucky that he got to Brooklyn. The team does not pursue goals to win, to fight for a place in the playoffs. A global restructuring is underway. Plus, they want to trade Cam Thomas, which means Demin has a chance to be in the first position and count on shots, and not just create situations for partners, which is why he was hired by the Nets in the first place.

"The goal for the new season is to get more playing time"

— Who was your first coach?

— Andrey Anatolyevich Vasilenko at Rostov Youth Sports School No. 7. He wasn't even a basketball coach anymore, but really a second father. He always supported me outside the parquet floor and gave me valuable advice. I am grateful to Andrey Anatolyevich for creating the most friendly team. It was very pleasant to be in such a family atmosphere. If someone from our team was hurt on the court, then everyone went to protect him. After training, we did not disperse, but went for a walk to the playground together.

— Do you continue to communicate with Vasilenko?

— Yes, I congratulate him on Coach's Day, happy birthday. He's asking me some things. We're in touch.

— Are you from a sports family?

— Mom didn't do sports. My father boxed at the amateur level until he was 18, then he quit.

— What is your goal for the new season?

— Get more playing time and a bigger role. I want to play in the first or second position, and not stand in the corner waiting for the transfer.

— Good luck with your competition.

— They extended Patrick Miller, took Jeremiah Martin, Cassius Robertson from the Spanish championship. The competition is serious, but you can't go anywhere without it.

— What statistics would you like to see at the end of the season?

— I want to get to the numbers 10+4+3 . And to shoot more three-pointers, and not like in the last championship, when he threw only five shots for the whole season.

— Do you think the level of the VTB United League has decreased during the sanctions period?

— It seems to me that this is still one of the strongest leagues in Europe. Yes, they say that not such famous legionnaires are coming now. But look at the foreigners who competed in the 2024/25 season. Avramovich was one of Serbia's leaders at the Olympics, defending himself against the same Shay. Bacon could have played in any Euroleague club in the first roles. The Swede was signed during the season. Antonius joined Loko from the Euroleague.

Another obvious advantage is that there are more games. It's more interesting for both the fans and the players, especially the young ones, who have more opportunities to prove themselves. When the regular season consists of, say, 30 games, the coaches have almost no room for error, so they rely on experienced performers.