"I am a black Russian. Vorontsevich called me that, and I liked it."

Trent Fraser had a great start to the second half of the season. In January, the 27-year-old point guard was appointed the new captain of Zenit FC. In February, he became the most valuable player of the VTB United League All-Star Game and the MVP of the Month. In March, Alexander Medvedev, chairman of the board of directors of the blue-white-blues, said that the American wanted to play for the Russian national team. It's a great opportunity to talk to Fraser, who will lead his team ahead in the Final Four of the intra-season Cup this week.

"We have an opportunity to repay the debt to the fans"

— Zenit recently scored an important victory over UNICS, which allowed the club to reach the home Final Four of the intra-season cup. Has this success brought the team together even more?

— We have reached a new level of interaction, which is exactly what we should demonstrate in matches with direct competitors. Considering how the season is shaping up, with many ups and downs, it was very important to win in Kazan, especially considering that the Final Four will be held in St. Petersburg.‑St. Petersburg. We really wanted Zenit fans to be a part of this event.

In addition, UNICS has won four consecutive matches against us this season. So it was extremely important to win. Moreover, we won in Kazan twice in 20 days. So it was a really special event, and I feel like we got a lot closer to our goals.

— You will start the Final Four with a match against CSKA, which you have lost four times this season, including the Super Cup in Serbia. How do you think you can try to break an unsuccessful streak?

— Now we are a completely different team compared to that Super Cup match in Belgrade. As I said before, we've had a lot of ups and downs, but in recent months we've come together. I think we've become a team psychologically. It will take 40 minutes of maximum concentration to defeat CSKA. The game will be very intense, we know how good the leaders of the opponents are. You need to be ready to withstand their blows, fight in every possession and play to the limit. I really hope that our fans will drive us forward.

— Georgy Zhbanov probably won't play in the match against Muscovites. A significant loss?

— Of course, it's a loss. Zhora brings a special spirit to our defense and attack. He adds aggression to the team — a very tough player, I would call him a pit bull. He makes life difficult for his rivals, knocks them out of the rhythm, and actually turns them off the game. We understand that it will not be easy without him, including from the point of view of tactics. But we know that every player who takes to the floor must show the same level of dedication as Zhora.

— Does the team set a goal to win the intra-season Cup, or is it all about ending the regular season?

— When a trophy is at stake, it's always very important. Any player wants to win the title, especially when there are two wins left before the final success. Our main priority right now is the intra—season Cup. I would like to leave this trophy in St. Petersburg. Three years ago, we couldn't take the Russian Cup in the Final Four at home. Now we have the opportunity to repay the debt to the fans. After that, we will switch back to the United League, where we also want to win a trophy. We are very motivated and ready to make history.

— How do you assess the strengthening of the squad during the season, in particular the return of Xavier Moon, the signing of Ismael Bako? In your opinion, does Zenit have the strongest squad in the league right now?

— New players always bring a different style to the game. Each of them strengthens the team, but it is very important that they also fit into the team chemistry. That's what we've been working on for the last few months. We are on the right track now, I would even say we are at the peak of our form. And who has the strongest squad — we will find out in June, when one of the teams will raise the Belov Cup over its head.

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The 20-year-old Russian has broken several league records for rookies, but will not finish the regular season due to injury.

"I don't follow the NBA"

— Is it difficult to adapt to Dejan Radonic's system?

— Of course, this is not an easy process. He brought a different style of play, and it was good for the team. We had to adjust to the system, and I think we did a good job of that. Dejan has changed the course of our season and is doing a great job. But, again, we need to keep improving and getting better in all aspects.

— Has there been a coach in your career who is similar to Radonic in terms of requirements?

— In my first year of playing for college, when I was a freshman, I had a similar mentor. But every coach is unique. Everyone has their own style of play, their own tactics, especially at critical moments. All the coaches I worked with were brilliant strategists, smart specialists, and brought something of their own to my game. I would like to note an important point: you need to be tough with Coach Radonich. It's very difficult. And the guys understand that. We need to be mentally strong and ready to fight in every game.

— Do you follow the Euroleague? Are there any teams that you like?

— I watch almost all Euroleague matches, all the teams. As for the style, I wouldn't single anyone out. Many clubs in this tournament play pretty similar basketball and have deep roasters. The main thing is to correctly place the best players in positions where they are most effective. But I like watching all the teams.

— Which NBA team do you support?

— I don't follow the NBA. The matches are held too late — they start at three or four o'clock in the morning, Russian time. Due to the time zone difference, it is not possible to watch them.

"Zubkov and I became brothers when we started playing together"

— At the end of January, you were appointed captain of the team. Did this decision come as a surprise to you?

— Yes, it was very unexpected. It is a great honor for me. It's a serious role, especially after a player like Karasev. Sergey is a veteran, he has done a lot for the club. His energy, dedication, and mentality are all respected. Being the captain of Zenit is a big responsibility, and Sergey helps me along this path, guides me.

— Did you start communicating more with your partners and coaching staff after you became captain?

— Nothing has changed globally. Captaincy is just a symbol. Everyone has to go out on the court and do their job, just like me. It is clear that I communicate with my partners, with the coaches, the same way as before. The main thing is to set the right example and do my job well so that my partners can trust me.

— Zubkov told me that you jokingly call him dad, and he calls you son. Did Andrey help you a lot at the beginning of your stay in St. Petersburg?

— I treated him like an older brother. He's an experienced player that I look up to. Both on and off the court. We're still in touch, and I ask him what can be improved in certain areas where I'm wrong. He's being honest with me. We've been brothers ever since we started playing together.

— Who would you call the best partners during your performance in Russia? Name the top 3.

— Moon, Andre Roberson and Zubkov.

— Can you say that you have fully adapted to life in Russia and St. Petersburg?‑St. Petersburg?

— Almost completely. Sometimes the language barrier still baffles me, but such situations happen less and less often. I'm a fast learner.

— Do you have any favorite places? Do you help newcomers adapt when they arrive?

— I love restaurants, I go to different places, I adore local food. Since I've been here for quite some time, when newcomers arrive, I recommend different places for them to visit. These are mostly gastronomic stories. It's nice that, as a foreigner, I can already act as a guide for others in such a beautiful city.

"We will see more world-class superstars on our floor"

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Zenit FC Alexander Medvedev — about his favorite player, transfers and the greatest match

"I am a black Russian

— Alexander Medvedev, Chairman of the Zenit BC Board of Directors, told us that you want to play for the Russian national team. Could you confirm this information?

— A person like Alexander Medvedev always has reliable information.

— You called yourself a black Russian in the videos on club social networks. Did you come up with this expression yourself?

— By myself, with a little help from Andrey Vorontsevich. He teaches me Russian words, and we came up with it together. He called me that once, and I liked it. I started using this nickname all the time. I am a "black Russian".

— Many American basketball players play for European national teams. How do you feel about this?

— It is a great honor to represent the national team. Especially big teams like Russia. After all, the national teams have the best players in the country. Therefore, if you receive an invitation, it means that you have a certain level. This is a great opportunity to thank the country for its hospitality and to please its many fans.

— CSKA legend John Robert Holden successfully played for the Russian national team. Do you keep in touch with him?

— I've heard a lot about him and his career, including at the national team level. Holden is a really great player. However, we don't know each other personally.

— Do you think that the Russian national team in the optimal composition could compete for victory at the Eurobasket, as in 2007?

— Definitely. Russian basketball is developing, and I can name many top-class Russian players. Yes, many people don't know their names yet. But when the time comes, it will become obvious how strong these basketball players are.

— You have traveled a lot in Russia. Are there any cities that you like besides St. Petersburg‑St. Petersburg?

— I love Saint Petersburg very much.‑Petersburg is beautiful and calm, and I like that. Yekaterinburg is also very nice: when we get there, it's really great to walk there. Of course, Moscow and Kazan are also good places.

— If you had to describe Russia in three words, what would they be?

— It's cold, beautiful, amazing. By "amazing," I mean this: many outside the country imagine Russia to be some kind of crazy place, judging by what they see on the news. But when you come here, it turns out that it is very beautiful here. The people are kind, the cities are beautiful. It's a completely different experience, and I wish more people would know about it. Russia is actually one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.