RUS - CSKA hit rivals with Khryapa thunderbolt

MOSCOW (Euroleague/Superleague) - CSKA Moscow may have just become favorites to win the Euroleague after swooping for Russia national team forward Victor Khryapa.

The 25-year-old, called Russia's best player at the EuroBasket last year in Spain on more than one occasion by national team boss David Blatt, joins injury-ravaged CSKA on the eve of Top 16 play.

"Everyone knows that the injuries of our players put us in a very difficult situation," CSKA CEO Andrei Vatutin said on Tuesday at the signing ceremony for Khryapa.

"CSKA is playing without (Matjaz) Smodis and (Alexey) Savrasenko for the third month in a row.

"In the Euroleague, we can compensate for the absence of the players, but in the Russian League the pressure on the Russian players is too great."

Savrasenko has been lost for the season and will do well to make it back for the Olympics in China, while Smodis is still recovering from the foot surgery he underwent in the United States in December.

Despite his outstanding displays for Russia, particularly on the defensive end, Khryapa didn't receive meaningful playing time this season with the Chicago Bulls.

"Kryapa is a high-class player and is motivated, so we clearly need him," Vatutin added.

"I think for Khryapa, the contract with CSKA is a step up in his career. Besides, he would get some playing time before the Olympics."

FIBA