Clemmons, Ponomarev to lead the pack for Steppen Wolves in the first window of the Qualifiers
NUR-SULTAN (Kazakhstan) - The National Basketball Federation of Kazakhstan (NBF) has formally announced a 17-player roster for the upcoming first window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers.
The majority of the players named were key pieces of Kazakhstan’s run through the World Cup Asian Qualifiers, namely Alexandr Zhigulin who averaged 10.0 points and 5.6 rebounds across all 12 games.
Also listed is Anthony Clemmons who made his debut in the final two games of the World Cup Qualifiers and put up promising averages of 29.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest. Clemmons played for BC Astana in the local league last year under coach Emil Raikovich, who was also previously named as the head coach the national team last November as well.
Asia Cup veteran and standout Anton Ponomarev are named to the team as well, hoping to get Kazakhstan through the Qualifiers. Ponomarev has already played in 6 Asia Cups with 548 points scored across 48 games.
These Asia Cup Qualifier games ahead will be a good chance for lesser proven young players from all teams to earn their playing time and prove their worth. Such opportunities are what 22-year-old prospects Ruslan Aitkali and Andrey Litvinenko are hoping to get.
Kazakhstan start their Asia Cup Qualifiers campaign against Palestine on 21 February at the Saryarka Velodrome in Astana. That will be followed by a second straight home game against Jordan on 24 February to close out their games in this first window.
FIBA