The captain of CSKA basketball Nikita Kurbanov has chosen to pause his professional career. The Moscow club issued a brief statement confirming the decision and asking fans to respect his privacy. The club officials indicated that no further comments would be provided at this time and emphasized personal reasons behind the break.
In the official communiqué, Semyon Antonov was named to serve as team captain while Casper Ware was named as the vice captain. These changes come as CSKA navigates the current season with a clear sense of leadership rotation and on-court focus.
Kurbanov, 37, has been a member of CSKA since 2015 and had previously defended the club’s colors from 2002 to 2012. The forward has been a central figure for the red and blue team, contributing to a storied era in the club’s history. Across his career with CSKA, he has earned multiple championships, including three Euroleague titles, seven victories in the VTB United League, and 11 Russian championships. He also represented the Russian national team, stepping away from international play in November 2021 after a long and productive tenure.
Following six rounds of the current VTB United League, CSKA has established itself as the league leader with an undefeated record. The team, guided by Emil Rajkovic, has demonstrated consistency and depth, maintaining the top spot through a challenging start to the season.
In a notable clash from the previous season, CSKA defeated Zenit St. Petersburg, ultimately securing third place after defeating St. Petersburg in a high-stakes matchup. The season has underscored CSKA’s ongoing pursuit of trophies and its status as a perennial title contender in the league. The organization has continually balanced veteran leadership with a rising roster, aiming to translate regular-season success into postseason glory.
Earlier in the year CSKA also announced the departure of a striker who had been part of difficult outcomes in May, signaling a broader roster evolution as the club positions itself for future campaigns. The current leadership changes and personnel movements reflect CSKA’s strategic approach to maintaining competitiveness while accommodating players’ personal choices and the evolving needs of the team. This combination of legacy, performance, and adaptability defines the club’s contemporary narrative and its relationship with fans across the North American and European basketball community.