Lokomotiv-Kuban center Kirill Yelatontsev had a deep conversation with our information partner, the Championat sports outlet.
- How was your training camp?
- Good. We lost a few games, but won a bit more. We showed more or less our own type of basketball.
- Do you see some progress?
- Yes, we prepared well for the season. Now we just need to consolidate our work with a good start to the championship.
- How did you spend your summer vacation?
- Good. I went to Thailand, had a little rest at home — visited Krasnoyarsk. Overall, everything was as usual.
- Loko has undergone significant changes this offseason. What was the reason at your opinion?
- This was entirely the management's decision. I think they wanted to freshen things up a bit. Our previous coach Andrei Vedishchev decided to give up his position to Anton Yudin. This will be the new coach's debut in the VTB United League, so there will be a lot of interesting things to come. Our roster has changed, and we'll work on it and see what happens.
- What can you say about Loko under Vedishchev's coaching?
- Overall, it was good. We didn't achieve the results we wanted, but we were close. In game #7 against Zenit, we lacked a bit of luck, a bit of something else, maybe of skill. But I wouldn't say we played bad; we were very close to the finals.
- Was Andrei Vedischev's playing style close to your heart?
- I always try to adapt to the coach's style and play accordingly. I felt very comfortable.
- How did you feel about the signings of top players like Royce Hamm, Jeremiah Martin, Vince Hunter?
- I felt fine. It will be interesting to play with such a high-level players with great experience in our league. The only thing that bothered me a little, is that we currently have too many players in the fourth and fifth positions. But the coach said that we will keep everyone playing and happy. So I am okay with that.
- Are you ready for competition in your position?
- Yeah, for sure.
- Many Russian players left Lokomotiv this summer. How did you react to the departures of Martyuk, Yemchenko, Uzinsky?
- Of course, I was a bit upset because I'd been playing with these guys for years. But that's the usual thing in basketball. Now we'll be playing on opposite sides. It will be very interesting to play against them.
- Who of them will you miss most?
- Of course, I'll miss everyone, but most of all, Dima Uzinsky. If I were to make a ranking, Dima would come first, then Yema [Yemchenko], and then Andryukha [Martyuk], but I'll miss everyone of them.
- Is Antonius Cleveland's departure to CSKA a big loss for Lokomotiv?
- I think so. It's hard to lose such a player. He is incredibly good both offensively and defensively. But, again, that's basketball; some players come, someplayersleave. We currently have some high quality players at Cleveland's position. I think we'll be fine. We'll had a great offseason and strengthened our back court.
- Loko has a new head coach now. Did you know him before?
- I wouldn't exactly say I followed him. Of course, I knew he coached CSKA-2. They played very well, but I wasn't very familiar with Anton Nikolayevich.
- Did you discuss with the coach your role in the team next season?
- Yes, we had a big talk. I think we understood each other, so I'll work and train.
- Will Anton Nikolayevich be okay after switching a Supeliga club to a top VTB United League team?
- Of course, he will. He's not a rookie, nor some young coach. Yes, it's a big responsibility, but I think he's completely ready for this step. He understands everything that he needs to do.
- You recently turned 23. How thrilling is it to win two Best Young Player awards and be a part of the VTB United League All-Star Game at your age?
- The moment when you receive these awards and go to the All-Star Game is a pleasant and positive experience. But then it all fades into the background... All that's left is work and desire to win with the team.
- How does it feel to have gone from playing on the youth team to becoming an All-Star in just a few years?
- Everything comes season after season, month after month. I've always tried to work hard, and I've gradually gotten here. I didn't leapfrog in one season; this is my fourth year with the main team. Where I am is the result of systematic work.
- Last season, you were especially good against top clubs — 16 points against Zenit, 15 against UNICS, and 14 against CSKA... What helped you?
- I think we have much more motivation against top clubs. My dedication against the "big four" is always at its peak. Every time, I want to beat CSKA, UNICS, and Zenit — it gives you confidence, the understanding that they're beatable. We are capable of beating them every now and then; we just have to stay focused.
- On the other hand, Loko often loses to underdogs. Why?
- Honestly, I don't know... We go into every game with the same thought: to win. But at some point, we lose the flow of the game, miss our shots... When we start losing, our opponents feel like they can beat us, and they become motivated to beat a top team. They start getting more excited, fighting for every inch of the court... To avoid such situations, we need to approach the game the same way we do against top clubs, and not resort to individual actions that aren't typical for us.
- Do you have some rivalry in the league?
- These are another Top-4 teams: CSKA, Zenit, and UNICS. We've had our own rivalry with each of them. So, I'll highlight these three clubs.
- Who impressed you most during your time at Loko?
- Among my teammates, I'd definitely point out Patrick Miller because he's a beast (laughs). It's a pleasure to play with such a team-mate. Patrick makes things easier for everyone. He makes a difference on the court! I'd also name Antonius [Cleveland]. He's a very talented player who's made some incredible highlights: all sorts of buzzers and dunks. You look at all of that and think, "Is he a human?!" Also, Nenad Dimitrijević was extremely good when he played for UNICS. We simply couldn't stop him. Also, probably Xavier Moon last season, before his injury. It was exciting to watch him; he moved really well.
- Your team now has two "beasts" – Patrick Miller and Jeremiah Martin. Will they compete for MVP next season?
- Yes, they can. But we need to finish first in the regular season. As it used to be, the MVP award goes to the best player on the first team at the end of the regular season. So, if we perform well as a team and finish first in the regular season, I think one of them will definitely become the MVP. Patrick and Jeremiah have every chance of getting this award.
- Who of your teammates at your opinion has made the biggest step up over the past years?
- I think all of our Russian guys at Loko are getting better each season. Kirill Temirov, Anton Kvitkovskikh, Vsevolod Ishchenko — each of them has taken a good step up. Seva has been a bit unlucky with injuries, but he's still a great prospect. At Lokomotiv Kuban, everyone is working together. It's great to see our guys improving.
- Can we say that Ishchenko is the next #1 contender for Best Young Player this season?
- I can't immediately recall some top contenders from other teams, so, yes, Seva is #1. Plus, we also have Danil Sheyanov and Ivan Samoylenko. We'll see as the season goes on. The main thing is to get through it injury-free. I hope a Loko player wins this award for the fifth time in a row.
- What helps the Lokomotiv Academy produce such a huge number of talents?
- Our Academy has a good scouting. We bring in players from everywhere in Russia. In our youth team, everyone is given a chance. Conditions are top-notch, so all that's left is to play. The guys are developing, and I'm happy about that.
- At summer, you were called to the Russian national team, but didn't play. What happened?
- I arrived at the training camp, but got ill we moved with the team from Novogorsk to Nizhny Novgorod. I asked the national team doctors to leave and they let me go.
- Would you like to play more for the national team?
- Yes, I'd like to. It's always nice to represent your country. I hope the situation improves and the Russian team gets more games.
- What is your personal goal for the season?
- I have only one goal: first place. My goal is no different from the team's: the management, the coaching staff, and every player are focused solely on winning the league!
- What would you like to achieve both professionally and in life in general, besides becoming a champion?
- I'd say I don't have any specific goals for the next 5-10 years. I'm trying to live in the moment and get better every day. Right now, I'm at Lokomotiv, we're fighting for first place — that's what I give all my best for now. And everything that happens next, I think, will gradually work itself out. For now, all I have on my mind is basketball and family, and nothing else (laughs).
- Last year, in an interview with Championat.com, you said you were ready to shave your head right there on the court after winning the championship. Are you ready to repeat that promise?
- For sure, no problem!
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