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December 2016
1 Agasiy Tonoyan (RUS)
20/12/2016
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Stockton meeting, Basketball Champions League action brings Tonoyan to next level

SAMSUN (FIBA U18 European Championship 2016) - Reaching the FIBA U18 European Championship 2016 Quarter-Finals is the greatest achievement in Agasiy Tonoyan’s life so far. But the small forward says he and Russia are not done yet.

Russia locked up a spot in the final eight for the first time since 2013 and they are one win from their first Semi-Finals since 2012.

"This is the biggest moment in my life. We wanted to do this and it happened," said Tonoyan, who has been Russia’s leading scorer in Samsun.

"Our expectations coming here were try to show all of Europe that our country can play basketball. And we came here to surprise people," said Tonoyan, who did just that as Russia walloped Serbia 70-43 en route to a 2-1 record in Group D.

Going into the Quarter-Finals match-up with Lithuania, the mind frame is no fear and defence.

"We aren't afraid of anybody here. We feel we can beat anybody. We play every game like it’s our last game," Tonoyan said.

"As you know, offence wins games, defence wins championships." - Tonoyan

And regarding defence, Russia have allowed their opponents just 48.3 points while holding them to less than 28% shooting.

"As you know, offence wins games, defence wins championships."

Experience doesn't hurt either, and the Moscow native has plenty of that. Not only did he play at this tournament in 2015 - averaging 6.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists - he also has earned minutes in the Basketball Champions League with Russian club Avtodor Saratov.

"Before the 2015 U18 tournament, I played like a power forward and then with the national team I changed positions to small forward. And that made me believe in myself that I can play on the wing," Tonoyan said.

Playing with Avtodor has been an invaluable experience, especially being able to learn from Michael Stockton, the son of NBA Hall of Famer John Stockton.

"It’s very cool to have Stockton on the team. He teaches me to never give up and give everything on every play," Tonoyan said.

He even got to meet the Hall of Fame point guard.

NBA Hall of Fame point guard John Stockton and Russia's Agasiy Tonoyan

"He's a legend, and I’m really sorry he never won an (NBA) title because he was a really great player and he deserved to win a title," Tonoyan said.

The Russian federation has high hopes for Tonoyan.

"He is the most talented player in this generation in Russia. He is a very smart guy, believes in himself and tries to win every game," said Oleg Fokin, the head of Russia's youth national teams department.

"Our federation is using an individual approach to work with him. We help him in many aspects, not just basketball."

Long term, the Russian federation sees Tonoyan making it higher.

"(Tonoyan) is the most talented player in this generation in Russia. He is a very smart guy, believes in himself and tries to win every game." - Fokin

"Our goal is to bring him into the senior national team," Fokin added.

But first thing is the Quarter-Finals against Lithuania - with Russia on the doorstep of the top four for the first time since 2012. A win would also put Russia back into the FIBA U19 World Championship, for which they failed to qualify two years ago.

"It's too early to talk too much about (the FIBA U19 World Championship 2017) though it would be great."

Consider it another chance for Tonoyan to have the best moment in his life.

FIBA