Russia's Kaun retires at age 30

MOSCOW (EuroBasket 2015) - Russian international Alexander (Sasha) Kaun, one of the top centers in the European game, has taken the unusual step of terminating his professional basketball career only a month after turning 30.

The CSKA Moscow big man announced his decision on Monday night, in the wake of his team's 99-69 win over Khimki in Game 3 of the VTB United League play-off finals, which sealed CSKA's clean sweep in the series.

Kaun has been included by head coach Evgeny Pashutin on Russia's 22-strong preliminary roster for EuroBasket 2015 but on Monday there was no indication the 30-year-old center will consider postponing his retirement in order to compete in September's showcase event.

While the Moscow powerhouse staff and players were celebrating their fifth VTB League trophy and 22nd Russian Championship, Kaun told reporters that this was going to be his last title celebration.

"There are many reasons, but the main thing is probably the emotional fatigue," Kaun told R-Sport news agency.

When the first rumours about the Russian center considering a premature retirement surfaced, several months ago, there was mention of him struggling with physical problems.

Kaun did not cite any health issues on Monday, although he did confirm that this was a well-meditated decision.

"At the beginning of the season, I already knew that it was going to be my last," he said.

"I do not any more get the same pleasure from basketball which I used to get.

"So, I need to finish it."

This is the moment when you need to start something new, to start from the beginning, and I'm ready for it. - Kaun

Kaun is regarded as a gifted programmer and he famously combined his computer science studies at Kansas University with playing on the 'Jayhawks' and conquering the NCAA title in 2008.

None the less, this new start he is seeking might still be in a basketball context and not in the computer world.

"I still do not know what I will do from now on," Kaun said.

"But I do think right now that it will be associated with sport somehow."

Kaun celebrated his seventh consecutive domestic title with CSKA on Monday night, albeit the Euroleague title eluded him every year during his seven-year spell at the Russian giants.

He helped Russia win the bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics in London while he also played for the national team at the 2010 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Turkey, where David Blatt's side finished in seventh place.

There can be little doubt that Kaun leaves basketball at his peak as a player, as this season he posted 9.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in the Euroleague and averaged 10.5 points with 3.5 rebounds in the VTB League.

The big man raised his contribution to 14.7 points per encounter in the finals against Khimki, albeit the entire CSKA team came up with impressive performances in this series, dominating their rivals with a 23.3 point differential on average, through the three games.

In Game 3 on Monday, Kaun led the way for CSKA with 14 points while Serbian national team captain Milos Teodosic had 13 points and six assists and French international Nando de Colo also finished with 13 points.

Andrey Vorontsevich was named MVP of the play-offs to cap off his fantastic season with the champions.

The CSKA forward was a team-mate of Kaun also on the national team in 2010 and is poised to pull on the Russian jersey again this summer after missing EuroBasket 2013 through injury.

Russia will play in Group A of EuroBasket 2015 and lock horns with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel, Poland, Finland and hosts France.

Go to eurobasket2015.org for full coverage of EuroBasket 2015.

FIBA