Ponkrashov, Anton Alexandrovich

Anton Ponkrashov was born in Leningrad . His father is a master of sports in three sports: swimming, rowing and basketball, instilled in his son a love of sports. Anton’s mother is also a master of sports in rowing. As a child, Ponkrashov was engaged in swimming, but, at the age of seven, after his coach was hospitalized for a long time, he switched to basketball ^[3] . Anton graduated from the School of Olympic Reserve No. 1 , and also trained at the Admiralty Sports School with Timofey Mozgov ^{[1] [4]} . Has a higher education - graduated from the National State University of Physical Culture, Sports and Health named after P. F. Lesgaft ^[5] . From 2001 to 2004 he played for the St. Petersburg team Pulkovo and Conti , the last club played in Super League B. In 2004, he signed a contract with the professional basketball club Spartak (St. Petersburg). In April 2005, Ponkrashov was injured, and he needed hospitalization, during which he underwent surgery on his foot. The recovery process took two weeks, but it turned out that the diagnosis was made incorrectly, so I had to operate again, after which Anton was restored within a month ^[6] . According to the results of the 2004/2005 season, Ponkrashov was recognized as the best young player in the championship of Russia ^[7] . During the European Championships in Serbia and Montenegro, Ponkrashov, along with other young players of the national team, Vitaly Fridzon and Andrei Ivanov, held a master class at the school of the Russian Embassy in Belgrade ^[8] . Spartak took last place in the 2005/2006 season , gaining only 4 wins in 24 matches. The club started having problems with financing, and Anton received an offer to change the last team of the championship to the first: he moved to CSKA ^[9] . In August 2013, Ponkrashov joined the Samara Red Wings ^[10] . In February 2014 he moved to the Krasnodar “ Locomotive-Kuban ” ^[11] .

He trained with Anatoly Steinbock ^[12] .

CSKA (2006-2007)

Ponkrashov moved to Moscow and began training with the main team of CSKA under the leadership of the Italian mentor Ettore Messina . The young player was in one of the best teams in Europe, and his competitors were experienced masters: Theodoros Papaloukas , John Robert Holden , Trajan Langdon and David Vanterpool . Despite this, Ponkrashov got time on the court, but did not always show a stable game. After one of the Euroleague matches, CSKA head coach compared Ponkrashov for a bad game in defense with the famous ballet dancer Baryshnikov ^[13] . Anton was one of the best in CSKA in the match against Partizan , which was held as part of the Euroleague group stage. Leaving the bench, he scored 10 points, including making two accurate three-point shots ^{[14] [15]} . In the quarterfinals of the Cup of Russia against his former Spartak team from St. Petersburg, Ponkrashov scored 11 points, made 6 assists and 4 rebounds, becoming the best player in the match ^{[16] [17]} . During the season, Ponkrashov showed a high level of play in the Russian championship, but showed instability in Euroleague matches ^[18] . In the offseason, CSKA signed contracts with two foreign defenders - Lithuanian Ramunas ишiškauskas and Greek Nikos Zisis . Ponkrashov’s place in the main team was called into question ^[19] , and on August 3, 2007 Anton signed a new 3-year contract with CSKA ^[20] , under which he went on loan to Khimki BC, in return for CSKA he returned to Alexey Shved , which was rented in Khimki ^{[21] [22]} .

Khimki (2007-2009)

The new coach of Anton was the Lithuanian specialist Kestutis Kemzura . He saw Ponkrashov as the main player of the team, and Anton immediately began to justify the confidence of the coach. In the course of the 2007/2008 season , he scored a decisive throw 2.7 seconds before the end of the match in the intense Euroleague game against the Valencian Pames , and in the match Ponkrashov scored a record 24 points for himself ^{[23] [24]} . In the 2008 Russian Cup final against CSKA, Anton scored 16 points and helped his team win the trophy for the first time, beating the army with a crushing difference of 18 points ^[25] . As a result of the tournament, Ponkrashov was named the best defender of the Cup of Russia ^[26] , and was also recognized as the best player in February in Russia according to the newspaper Sport-Express ^[27] . On the occasion of the victory in the Russian Cup, Ponkrashov, together with the coaching staff and teammates, attended a reception at the Governor of the Moscow Region . The players received the honorary badge of the Governor of the Moscow Region “For the Glory of Sports” and a commemorative clock with an inscription from the hands of Governor Boris Gromov ^[28] . In the final of the championship of Russia Khimki again met with CSKA, this time the army team confidently won, and Ponkrashov scored 14 points and made 9 assists ^[29] . At the end of the season, CSKA management decided that Anton would spend another season in Khimki ^[30] .

I am really very glad that I got to Khimki. Although at first, when I just found out that I was leased, I was in shock. You are told that you are needed, they renew the contract, and then bang - rent. How?! Why? .. For some time I just couldn’t find a place for myself. The first gathering in the national team was very bad. I could not understand anything - either I was the first "number", or the second, or the third. Man out of position. And then there are club cats scratching their hearts. There was a dangerous moment - in such a situation it would not be long depressed. But Khimki saved me, one might say. Here I found the support that was needed.

- Anton Ponkrashov ^[31]

June 5, 2008 Ponkrashov took part in the NBA pre-draft camp in Treviso , where scouts of NBA clubs are watching young players from Europe ^[32] . During the camp, Anton was invited to the personal training sessions of the Houston Rockets and Seattle Supersonics ^[33] . He was unable to attend due to visa problems at the NBA final training camp in the USA. Despite this, Ponkrashov had positive reviews and it was planned that he would be selected at the end of the first or second round of the draft. But not one of the clubs chose Anton in the 2008 NBA draft ^[34] . Ponkrashov began a new season in Khimki; he did not demonstrate high-level basketball at the start of the Russian Championship ^{[35] [36]} , for which he was criticized by the head coach of Kemzura ^[37] . In November 2008, rumors appeared that, due to John Robert Holden’s injury, CSKA could return Ponkrashov from the lease ^[38] , but this was soon refuted by the club’s management ^[39] . In December 2008, the Ministry of Defense banned Ponkrashov, as well as Alexei Shved and Andrei Vorontsevich, from playing for their teams, as they are ordinary conscripts ^[40] . After skipping a few games, the situation resolved, and the young basketball players were again able to play for their teams. On December 8, the Italian coach Sergio Scariolo was officially appointed the new coach of Khimki; he replaced Kemzura, who was fired due to unsatisfactory club results ^[41] . In the semifinals of the VTB United League Promo Cup Khimki met with Dynamo (Moscow), Ponkrashov scored 16 points and 8 assists, becoming the best player in the match ^{[42] [43]} . According to the results of the VTB United League Promo Cup, Anton was in the symbolic five of the tournament ^[44] . In the game against Panellinios in the second group stage of the European Cup, Ponkrashov became the most successful player in Khimki, gaining 17 points and 6 assists ^[45] . At the end of the season, Ponkrashov expressed a desire to continue his performances at CSKA, with which he had a current contract ^[46] ; One of the reasons for this decision was the new club policy of CSKA - the maximum Russification of the composition and the stake on Russian players ^{[47] [48]} .

CSKA (2009—2010)

By the time Ponkrashov returned to CSKA, the coach had changed; the former team player Yevgeny Pashutin became the new red-blue mentor. In a conversation with Anton, he said that he was counting on him in the new season ^[49] . November 11, 2009 Ponkrashov had a successful match in the Euroleague against Olimpia , he scored 10 points and 4 rebounds ^{[50] [51]} . On January 21, 2010, the team’s head coach separately thanked Anton for his good performance in the VTB United League semifinal match, in which CSKA beat Ponkrashov’s former club Khimki ^{[52] [53]} , Anton scored 10 points from the bench ^[54] . Despite some successful matches, Ponkrashov lost the fight for a place in the main team to Zoran Planinic and John Robert Holden and received little playing time ^[55] . At the end of the season, Anton became the owner of the Cup of Russia, the champion of Russia, as well as a participant in the “Final Four” Euroleague. In the summer, Ponkrashov ended his contract with CSKA, and he was able to take part in the NBA summer league, playing for the Phoenix Suns ^[56] . At the end of the league, Anton could not find a club in the NBA, and CSKA refused to renew his contract with him ^[57] . Later it became known that Ponkrashov will return to his hometown and will play for Spartak, with whom he signed a 2-year agreement ^[58] .

Spartak (2010-2011)

Upon arrival at the club’s location, Ponkrashov met with team coach Zvi Sherf . He informed Anton that he had decided to make him captain of the team. The reason for this was the fact that he was born in St. Petersburg, and also previously played for the team. Ponkrashov was assigned a connecting role between the team and the coaching staff, as well as the club management ^[59] . Anton started the 2010/2011 season well: in his first three matches he scored 11 points and made 5.3 assists per game on average, which allowed him to become the best player of October according to the Sport Express newspaper ^[60] . Spartak showed unstable results, gaining a foothold in the middle of the league table of the Russian championship. In January, American point guard Patrick Beverly joined the team. Despite the arrival of a competitor, Anton did not lose playing time, he began to play more often as an attacking defender ^[61] . February 2011 was very productive for Ponkrashov: first he scored 16 points in a victory match against CSKA ^[62] , and then 26 points in a game against Red Wings ^[63] . On March 16, Ponkrashov helped Spartak win the first Russian Cup in its history, and Nizhny Novgorod was defeated in the final ^[64] . According to the results of the fans' vote, Ponkrashov was chosen to participate in the All-Star Game of the PBL : he received 2221 votes and entered the site as part of the Russian team ^[65] . During the match, he made a double-double , gaining 12 points and 14 assists. Anton also took part in the Spalding Three-Point Shots Competition: in the first round he defeated Evgeny Voronov , and in the semifinal he lost to the future winner of the competition Trajan Langdon ^[66] . At the end of the season, Ponkrashov used the option of terminating the contract with the club and transferred to CSKA. Anton explained that he wanted to conclude a long-term contract with Spartak, but the club management did not meet him; after that, the offer of CSKA for 3 years appeared, to which Ponkrashov replied with consent ^[67] . On July 2, 2011, CSKA officially announced the conclusion of a contract with Ponkrashov under the 2 + 1 scheme ^{[68] [69]} .

CSKA (2011-2012)

Before signing the contract, Ponkrashov had a conversation with the head coach of the team, Jonas Kazlauskas , in which the army mentor said that he was counting on him in the new season. Later, he also said in an interview that he was glad that such a universal player joined the team ^[70] . After signing the contract with Anton, star point guard Milos Teodosic came to CSKA, who immediately took place in the starting five. Also Anton's rivals in the back of CSKA were Alexey Shved and Dzhamont Gordon . In the first round of VTB United League, CSKA met in St. Petersburg with the local Spartak, Ponkrashov was booed by fans of his former team during the presentation of the players ^[71] . In the Euroleague match against Unicaja , Ponkrashov scored 13 points, leaving the bench ^[72] . Despite the fact that in terms of trophies won, it was one of the most successful seasons in Anton’s career, he can’t be added to his asset. Ponkrashov received little playing time, spending about 15 minutes on the court during domestic competitions and about 7 minutes in Euroleague matches ^[73] .

On September 1, Ponkrashov, together with his teammates Viktor Khryapa , Alexander Kaun and Evgeny Voronov, held an “Olympic lesson” in various schools in Moscow ^[74] . Before the new season , CSKA Ettore Messina, the Italian mentor, returned to CSKA, he praised Ponkrashov for well-done pre-season training, as well as for his versatility ^[75] .

Russian team

Ponkrashov began speaking for the Russian national team in 2004, when he took part in the UEFA European Under-18 Championship , which was held in Spain. In 2005, as part of the Russian national team under 20 years old, Ponkrashov won gold medals in the European Championship, which was held in Chekhov, Moscow Region. Anton became the most productive player in the final game against the Lithuanian national team, he scored 13 points, having realized 3 three-point shots ^[76] . Thanks to a successful game for the youth team, Ponkrashov was called to the national team of Russia to prepare for the European Championship 2005 ^[77] . Following the results of preparatory tournaments, the head coach of the team Sergey Babkov included the young player in the team for the upcoming championship. At the unsuccessful championship (the Russian team took 8th place) Anton was the youngest player in the team and spent little time on the court; he took part in only two games ^[78] . After a good season in Khimki, Ponkrashov was included in the final application for the 2007 European Championships in Spain ^[79] . The American coach David Blatt was appointed the new coach of the team, he did not let Ponkrashov out in the quarterfinals and semifinals of the tournament, but gave him a chance in the most important match of the championship. In the final game against the Spanish national team, Anton scored 8 points and 3 assists, leaving the field from the bench ^[80] . The Russians won in a tense ending and for the first time in their history became European champions ^[81] . After a solemn meeting of the team at Domodedovo Airport , the players and the coaching staff were invited to a reception at the Government House , where they received congratulations from the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Ivanov ^[82] .

Ponkrashov was on the list of 21 candidates for the Russian national team at the Beijing Olympics ^[83] . But at the last moment he was expelled from the national team by the coaching staff led by David Blatt and did not go to the Olympics. Experts noted that Blatt did not give Ponkrashov enough playing time to prove himself at the training camp ^[84] .

On July 22, 2009, the Russian national team held its first gathering dedicated to the upcoming European Championship in Poland , to which Ponkrashov was invited ^[85] . He entered the final application for the championship, due to injury the tournament was missed by Andrei Kirilenko , which greatly weakened the team. At the group stage against the French national team, Ponkrashov scored 7 points and 8 assists ^[86] , and in the game against the Macedonian national team 10 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds, which helped the team win and reach the quarterfinals of the championship ^[87] . In the playoffs of the tournament, the Russians lost to the Serbian national team (Anton had an unsuccessful match, gaining only 4 points ^[88] ), and then defeated the Turkish national team in the match for 7-8 places (Ponkrashov showed aggressive basketball with 16 points and 9 assists ^[89] ).

Ponkrashov was included in the application for the 2010 World Cup in Turkey ^[90] , a few hours before the start of the tournament, one of the leading American sports portals ESPN named Anton among the key players in the Russian team ^[91] . In the first round of the championship against the Puerto Rico national team, Ponkrashov made a double-double , gaining 11 points and 10 assists ^[92] . In the match against the Chinese team, the Russians secured a victory and got into the playoffs of the championship, Ponkrashov scored 15 points and 5 assists ^[93] . In the quarterfinals, the Russian team lost to the Americans , the future winners of the championship ^[94] .

When the Russian team went to the European Championship in 2011, Ponkrashov was among the best players in the country. True, Ponkrashov spent his best match in the tournament against Serbia, gaining only 5 points and 4 rebounds ^[95] . However, teammates supported Anton and the team managed to win bronze medals at the European Championships ^[96] .

To participate in the XXX Summer Olympics, the Russian team had to pass the qualification, which was called Ponkrashov ^[97] . The Russians successfully passed the qualifying competitions, winning all the matches ^[98] . Anton proved himself in the principle game of the first group stage of the Olympic basketball tournament against the Spanish national team: he helped the team win by making a double-double - 14 points and 10 assists ^[99] . Ponkrashov was one of the best in the semifinals of the tournament against the Spaniards, he scored 10 points and 4 rebounds, the Russian team lost in a tense struggle ^[100] . In the match for 3rd place, the Russians defeated the Argentine national team and won the bronze medals of the Olympics ^[101] . On August 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Head of the Presidential Administration Sergei Ivanov presented state awards to Russian national basketball players. The players were awarded medals of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, II degree, and each athlete received a personalized Audi A6 car - in the colors of the Russian team, with the name of the winner instead of a license plate and engraved "Team 2012" in the cabin ^[102] .

Personal life

Ponkrashov is married. The spouse's name is Mila. The couple has a son, Matvey ^[103] .

Charity

In 2011, Ponkrashov began charity work aimed at improving the living conditions of pupils of the Velikoselsky orphanage, located in the village of the same name Veliky Selo, Yaroslavl Region . The walls of the institution are home to more than 40 children aged three to sixteen years ^[104] . Anton began by inviting children to one of the Euroleague matches, which they attended on November 17, 2011 ^[105] , and in June 2012, the computer class in the orphanage was completed. In May 2012, the Hope for Tomorrow charity foundation was officially registered, which took patronage of the Velikoselsky orphanage, and Ponkrashov is a member of the foundation’s board of trustees ^[106] . In addition, Anton regularly takes part in other socially significant events ^[107] .

Ponkrashov is a versatile basketball player who can play in three positions: a point guard , an attacking defender and a light forward , but the point guard position is optimal for him. Due to the high growth - 200 cm - he is active in rebounds under his and other people's shields. It has an accurate pass and a good long and medium throw ^{[70] [108] [109]} .

Among the shortcomings at an early stage of a career, some experts noted the slowness and indecision in making decisions, which hindered the attack of the team in which Ponkrashov was a point guard ^{[110] [111]} .

• 2005 - European champion among youth teams , bronze medalist of the championship of the Youth League ^[121] .
• 2007 - champion of Europe , champion of Russia , winner of the Cup of Russia , participant of the “Final Four” Euroleague ^[121] .
• 2008 - winner of the Russian Cup , silver medalist of the Russian championship , silver medalist of the Promo Cup of VTB United League ^[121] .
• 2009 - silver medalist of the Russian championship , finalist of ULEB Eurocup ^[121] .
• 2010 - champion of Russia , winner of the Cup of Russia , champion of VTB United League ^[121] .
• 2011 - bronze medalist of the European Championship , winner of the Russian Cup ^[121] .
• 2012 - bronze medalist of the Olympic Games , champion of Russia , champion of VTB United League , participant in the Euroleague Final Four ^[121] .

• 2005 - The best young player in the championship of Russia ^[7] .
• 2006 - The most progressive player in the championship of Russia ^[122] .
• 2008 - The best defender of the Promotional Cup of VTB United League ^[121] .
• 2008 - The best defender of the Cup of Russia ^[121] .
• 2012 - Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", II degree - for his great contribution to the development of physical culture and sports, high sports achievements at the Games of the XXX Olympic Games 2012 in London (United Kingdom) ^[123] .
• 2012 - Honored Master of Sports of Russia ^[121] .