The Lokomotiv Kuban forward gave an interview to the railway newspaper Gudok (The Steam Whistle).
- Kirill, what helped Lokomotiv Kuban beat BETCITY PARMA in the first playoff game?
- At the crucial moment, we showed character and stopped their momentum. We remained a team even during difficult moments, and that's why we won. But that was only the first game. PARMA is a very serious opponent. We had some good and exciting games against them in the regular season. We both lost and won, so the playoffs are where the real fight lies.
- What is their main strength?
- The players on this team work well together. Not long ago, in a game against Zenit St. Petersburg, they came back from a 20-point deficit in six minutes at the end and won. They were close to did the same in the first playoffs game. PARMA, definitely, has character.
- In February, you set a personal scoring record in the VTB United League, scoring 21 points against PARMA. Earlier, you scored 21 points against the same team in the intra-season cup. So, the Perm team is a convenient opponent for you?
- I really don't know. I just try to use the scoring opportunities if I get some. So, a lot of credit goes to my teammates here, who find me with great passes, and all I have to do is send the ball into the hoop.
- Lokomotiv Kuban has played well overall over the last three months, but lost to the leaders, UNICS and CSKA. What was missing in those games?
- Against UNICS, we probably lacked a bit of concentration at the very end of the game. And against CSKA, we played very well for the first quarter and a half, but then something happened to us that's hard to explain—we didn't do our job right, allowed our opponents to build a lead, and then gave up. We don't want that to happen again in the playoffs, so we're working on our mentality a lot.
- Did you like the intra-season cup?
- I really enjoyed it. I think it's great for all the players, for our League, and for the spectators that such a tournament has emerged. It's a vibrant atmosphere, with pleasant music during the games—quite unusual. I think everything was pretty cool. And the games were tense.
- Lokomotiv Kuban's current head coach, Tomislav Tomović, took over the club in mid-January. Has the team adjusted to his demands?
- Of course. It was a bit tough at first, though, because the team's roster had changed: Alen Hadzibegovic just arrived, and B.J. Johnson left. But since then, we've gotten to know each other really well and become a strong unit. We know what the coach wants from us, who should be where in which lineup. Things are going really well for us now.
- What are Tomović's main qualities as a coach and as a person?
- He's never silent. He's always saying something and his advice are always relevant. He wants us to work as one unit. I think all the basketball fans who've seen our games, have noticed the energy and emotion he brings. Tomislav is a former basketball player, after all, so it's as if he's right there with us on the court. He has great energy.
- Lokomotiv Kuban has a lot of foreign players. Do they share their impressions of what life is like in Krasnodar and how quickly they're settling in?
- Judging by their stories, they like it here. I don't recall anyone complaining. Except maybe about the traffic... But that's Krasnodar!
- With such a tense game schedule, do you have time for hobbies or any entertainment during the season?
- I do have some free time, although not much. I try to spend it with my girlfriend; we can go for a walk or simply relax. But mostly the season consists of training, games, traveling.
- You're not only a club alumnus, but also a native of the Krasnodar region. Do you feel any special attention because of this?
- No, I haven't noticed anything like that at all. I believe that our fans should support all Lokomotiv players equally – me, Mike Moore, or Jay Martin, for example. We're one team, after all.
- Do you often visit your native Kropotkin?
- Unfortunately, less often than I should be. My parents live in Kropotkin, and I ought to visit them more often. The last time I did was in the summer, when I came to my local sports school for an open practice with gifts for the kids from the club—I brought balls and uniforms. The kids' parents buy kits themselves, so my dad gave me the idea of giving the boys Lokomotiv kits. The the Lokobasket School League project offered me not just to give uniforms but also to host a training session. It turned into a whole event, and a huge crowd of kids came. I still remember the way the kids' eyes lit up. I'm ready to host such training sessions and meetings with the kids every time possible.
- Do you think that thanks to you, basketball's popularity in Kropotkin is growing?
- I'm not sure, is it due to me or some other factors, but yes. Compared to when I started, there are a lot more boys and girls involved now. My younger brother plays basketball, and so does my sister.
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