"I want to represent basketball Russia overseas with dignity"

At the end of June, it became known that one of the brightest and most promising basketball players in the country, Elizaveta Astakhova, would continue her career in the United States. The forward of the Russian national team has reached an agreement with the North Carolina Tar Heels and will compete in the NCAA starting next season. Elizaveta spoke about this, as well as the transition to adult basketball, the debut for the national team and the prospects of Egor Demin in an interview with Izvestia and Sport-Express.

The WNBA draft is definitely my goal.

— You had a very busy summer. First the national team, then the U-20. Plus paperwork. Did you have time to rest at least a little?

— It was three days. We had a vacation with our parents in Turkey. It's not enough, but thank you for having that too. The time spent in the national teams was very exciting, so no problem.

— Was it great to play against the optimal composition of the Slovenian national team?

— Yes, of course. These were my first international games for the national team. It was a little exciting, but the interest quickly overcame this feeling. Slovenia has a very strong national team, which they proved at the Eurobasket (they beat Serbia, but lost to Lithuania and Italy. — Izvestia). So I am very grateful to the RFB leadership that they managed to find us such an opponent in the current situation. I hope there will be more such games in the future.

— In the first match against Slovenia, you scored nine points and became the second most productive in our team. Is it a good performance?

— I agree, it probably turned out well to prove myself.

— But the games with the Hungarian youth national team didn't work out at all. What is the reason for the two defeats?

— They are really very strong. We weren't ready for this rhythm of the game, but it will be a good lesson. The more we practice and gain international experience, the stronger we become. You should play against such opponents as often as possible. I am sure that if we play in a year, the result will be different.

— In the summer, you agreed with the North Carolina Tar Heels. Why did you decide to develop your career in the USA? Is this related to the desire to enter the 2026 draft?

— Not necessarily in 2026. We'll see how things turn out, but the WNBA draft is definitely my goal. Also, it is worthy to represent basketball Russia overseas.

Hacker move: why a Russian basketball player was arrested in France

Daniil Kasatkin is suspected of participating in an international group engaged in extortion through cyber attacks.

In general, I'm interested in living in another country, playing with new opponents, and understanding how things work in the NCAA. I've heard a lot about this tournament, watched countless videos on social media, and my father's friends (Khimki CEO Pavel Astakhov. — Izvestia) they told me a lot. So I want to try myself there as soon as possible.

— Do you already have an understanding of the learning process?

— So far, I have not chosen the direction yet, but as far as I understand, I will have a year to decide on it. I'll come, settle in, and think about it. I promise that I will be as responsible about my studies as I am about basketball.

There are really a lot of great Russian players in the Premier League.

— There was information that during this season several top colleges showed interest in you at once — Oregon, Maryland, Arizona, Oklahoma, Penn State, Texas, NC State, Notre Dame… Why did you choose North Carolina?

— It's true about the interest of the listed colleges. We've been on the phone with them. They had good conditions and excellent coaches, but in the end we chose North Carolina. The university that Michael Jordan stood for. They have a strong basketball program, they are regular participants of the March Madness, they are trying to win their conference. But the most important thing was that their offer didn't have any disadvantages that others had.

— Have you discussed your role in the team with the coach?

— Yes, and I like it. It's clear that in words it's one thing, in fact it may be another, but I'm used to proving everything with my own work. I hope to become an important player in my first year and help the team win something meaningful.

— Did they persuade you to stay at the MBA?

— Of course, they wanted me to continue performing in Moscow. I didn't mind either, but when the offer came from the USA, it outweighed it. First of all, it is very interesting to try your hand at another tournament, constantly being in front of the scouts of the WNBA clubs. Many thanks to the Moscow club for believing in me. We signed in DUBL, and that's how it all started.

— It was your first full-fledged season at the adult level. Was this transition difficult?

— It was interesting and difficult. Especially mentally and physically. Different speeds, a different level of contact, the level of thinking of your partners and rivals. You need to be careful with your passes, dribbling, and other risky actions. But it's cool. Everyone wants to break into the professional ranks, and it's a great privilege to enjoy.

I can say that it helped me a lot that I spent the 2023/24 season in the Super League. I've gained some experience. It would have been difficult to enter the top division immediately after DUBL.

— Which games were most memorable last season?

— The whole playoffs were very bright. The atmosphere is completely different, and everyone's level of energy and motivation is exorbitant. I especially liked the games with Yenisei, where I scored a lot of points. I won't say that it depends on the opponent. It was just the end of the season, I was able to fully get used to it and show what I can do.

Historical selection: Demin sets Russian record in the NBA Draft

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

— Could you name the top 5 Russians in the Premier League?

— It is difficult to single out exactly the top five. To be honest, I haven't studied everyone yet, but there are really a lot of great local players in the Premier League. Which are difficult to defend against. Not only in games, but also in training. I am very good friends with Zhenya Frolkina, we spent the whole season together at away matches. I am very grateful to her for her support and help in any situation.

— Who was the hardest player to play against among the foreigners?

— I'll name Alex Bentley from the UGCC. It is not for nothing that in the 2023/24 season she was recognized as the MVP of the playoffs, and in the final championship she entered the symbolic top five. She is very athletic, confident, and able to close several positions. There are some qualities I would like to learn from her.

— And who of the young people do you like?

— Overall, we had a very young team last season. It was a pleasure playing with everyone, but I would like to single out Anastasia Shchekoldina. We played with her in the DUBL, Super League, Premier League and now in the U-20 national team, and we were very comfortable. Nastya has the psychology of a winner.

I really liked Egor's idea of leaving the letter "e" in his last name.

— Which of your coaches would you particularly mention in your formation?

— All the coaches I worked with played an important role. Everyone put their piece of knowledge into me, and it helped me move on. I am grateful to everyone.

— You said that you watched a lot of Khimki matches as a child. Besides Alexey Shved, is anyone else remembered for their performance?

— There were a lot of good players, but the Swede was in the lead for a long time. That's why I watched him especially.

— Does your father take a serious part in your career?

- yes. It helps a lot psychologically. How to tune in, how to let go of the situation after a painful defeat. Sometimes, of course, it "arrives". Not without that, but it's even more motivating to do your job well.

— Your grandmother is also involved in basketball, she even played for the USSR youth national team.

— She helps me a lot, and I am very grateful to her too. Since childhood, she told me that I would have a jump shot, played with me. He's giving us advice now, and we're sorting out some situations on the site.

— Can you stop by her place and go throw together?

- of course. In my free time in the summer, if we are at the cottage, then I throw in the ring every day. We have half of the court, like in streetball, and sometimes we get serious cuts there. Sometimes I play against my younger brother and sister. For now, they're playing against me alone, but when they get older, I probably won't be able to handle them (laughs).

— You have recently started a Telegram channel. It would be very interesting to see such content there.

— I need to spread out more, but I'm just getting used to it. I understand that social media is very important right now. I try to develop in all directions, openness to the fans is very important, plus the media gives a lot of opportunities to develop. Moreover, many interesting stories can be shown from the NCAA. I watch the accounts of their colleges and I want to watch every video to the end.

The Army Dozen: how CSKA managed to turn the tide of the final series

Zenit is defeated in six matches, Trimble is the MVP again

— I read that you sing great, and you performed on Red Square and in the State Kremlin Palace as a child. What's on your playlist?

— I sang well when I was a kid, but now I don't have such a good voice. To keep it at a certain level, you need to train a lot, just like in any sport. As for the music I listen to, I have very diverse tastes. Both Russian and foreign scenes. It depends on the mood.

— Who is your favorite now?

— I'll name the band Nickelback. Their songs have a very rich meaning.

— Do you follow the men's Euroleague?

- yes. I watch a lot of broadcasts because that's where the basketball we play is. A team game, lots of combinations, interactions in defense. I am very glad that Fenerbahce won the recent Final Four. There was a leader, but not so pronounced. Every player on the roster contributed to the final victory, especially in the final game against Monaco. Everyone played the way the coach wanted, followed his instructions from start to finish. That's largely why Nigel Hayes-Davis got his MVP award.

— Are you familiar with Egor Demin? What about his NCAA season?

— We know each other. I watched his games and highlights. He did well, he was able to prove himself in the USA. By the way, at first I was supposed to go to the same college as Egor, but in the end I decided on North Carolina.

It's clear that it won't be easy for him in the NBA. Play against your idols, the main stars of our sport. But I think Egor can handle it.

— It's cool that he left the letter "e" in his last name.

— I really liked it. A cool reference to Russia.

— Do you follow your compatriots in the WNBA?

— I'm watching all the Minnesota results. So far, Maria [Klundikova] and Olairi [Kosu] haven't been playing much, but I think it's only a matter of time. They will still show themselves in all their glory. I know that the girls are very strong and capable of showing results at the highest level.