RUS - Shved wants a medal

MOSCOW (Olympics) - Alexey Shved reconfirmed his status as one of the finest European talents in international basketball with a superb display at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Caracas, especially with his 22-point, six-assist performance in Russia’s 85-77 Semi-Final triumph over Nigeria that earned his team a spot in the London Games.

Playing at the Summmer Games will not be a first for the Shved family.

His sister Evgeniya Nikonova, a 1.76m point guard, represented Russia at the Olympics in 1996 (Atlanta) and 2000 (Sydney).

This will be the first opportunity for the entire basketball world to see the talent of Shved, a player who could make his debut in the NBA this summer with Minnesota.

Shved travelled to Minnesota three days after the OQT and according to the Star-Tribune newspaper, which cited NBA sources, agreed terms on a multi-year contract.

“I spoke with Alexey and I realized that playing in the NBA is his dream,” Russia coach David Blatt said.

“Well, I really hope he gets what he wants.”

Shved has helped his reputation by turning out for Russia the past two years.

He made a huge impact for Russia at EuroBasket 2011, helping them win the bronze medal, and has moved from strength to strength with CSKA Moscow and the national side ever since.

Shved showed last year in Lithuania, and at the OQT in Caracas, that he’s a huge talent, especially on offense.

The 1.95m shooting guard, a tremendous leaper, likes to attack the basket.

At the OQT, he did a little bit of everything to help Russia unbeaten, including bring the ball up the floor.

He also had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 5-1 while averaging a steal per game.

When it came to scoring, Shved beat opponents off the dribble, scored in transition, hit pull-up jumpers and buried three-pointers.

Shved was elated after the victory over Nigeria because that triumph ensured that he and Russia would be in London.

“This was a very important game for us,” he said to FIBA.com.

“We played hard. We wanted to have everyone play great.

“We worked hard for this all summer.”

Shved is looking forward to taking part in the Opening Ceremony, and can’t wait to more see what all the hubbub is about concerning the Olympic Village.

More than anything, though, the 23-year-old is eager to compete.

“I want to enjoy everything,” he said.

“This will be my first Olympic Games.

“But everyone in our team wants to take a medal.

“We have to start working.”

FIBA