Kolosovskaia raising the bar for Russia

MATOSINHOS (FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship 2016) – Everything about Daria Kolosovskaia screams future captain of the senior Russia national team at some point in the future.

Whether it is her wing play, mental toughness or ability to bring her team-mates with her into battle during the most difficult moments, Russia have an absolute gem to lead what has become one of the most exciting golden generations imaginable.

All hail Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje, who have nurtured these great young players in Maria Vadeeva, Raisa Musina, Kseniia Levchencko and of course Kolosovskaia. Yes, Russia have some of the most talented rising stars on the continent and in every position – three of them are here at the FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship.

The quartet mentioned finished top of the podium in Matosinhos at the FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship 2014 and Kolosovskaia rose to prominence after she was deservedly crowned MVP.

"It was not just my victory when I was named MVP, it was the victory of our team," she insisted.

"Can we do it again? We’ll do our best and try to get our game to the same level. So far, the opening two games against Turkey and Belgium have been rather hard and we are still trying to find our rhythm. But we will now try to get better and better in every game."

Having broken into the senior team, Kolosovskaia is now on a collision course for EuroBasket Women 2017 Final Round in the Czech Republic and she believes playing at the higher level is propelling the evolution of her game. Although typically she stressed one of her other attributes by holding the mirror up to her own face first in terms of any shortcomings.

She revealed,"My confidence has increased significantly and I can see the court better – I also know how to play better.

"As for my strengths, it is not up for me to say – only for my coaches. I am having problems with my three-point shot and I know that I really need to improve on this."

 Kolosovskaia dedicates her development to Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje and their head coach Aleksander Vasin, who is also Russia's senior head coach

Central to her own emergence for club and country has been Sparta&K play-caller Alexander Vasin, who also now holds the coaching reins of the senior Russian team.

"I have to give huge credit to my trainer Coach Vasin for giving me so much playing time this past season," declared Kolosovskaia with gratitude.

"It’s all about his work on our defence, because when we play against the top teams, this is what keeps us in the games."

Now seemingly a lock to become a permanent fixture in the Russia senior team, don’t expect complacency to creep in.

With her steely gaze, clap of the hands and arms raised up in the air during the start of every one of her opponents’ possessions, there isn’t a second goes by when this Russian rising star isn’t looking to set the tone for everyone around her.

And it’s these kind of smaller, but essential moments, which elevates Kolosovskaia into a leadership class of her own.

FIBA