Zenit acquiring point guard with NBA experience / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: USA Today Sports – Scanpix Credit USA Today Sports – Scanpix

The Russian team added significant power to their guards' line. Zenit St Pertersburg informed on Monday about the signing of Shabazz Napier.

Shabazz Napier

Position:PGAge:30Height:185 cmWeight:82 kgBirth place:United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

Point guard (1.85) has spent his entire career in the USA, between the G League (Sioux Falls Skyforce) and in the NBA teams. The 24th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft has been a member of Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, Brooklyn Nets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Washington Wizards.

Napier's career averages in the NBA: 7.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2,5 assists (345 games). His career-high scoring game - 32 points (twice).

The two-time NCAA champion (2011, 2014) could form an interesting duo with a newcomer of Zenit - Jordan Loyd. It could also raise questions regarding Zenit's chances of re-signing Kevin Pangos.

"I am very glad that Shabazz Napier chose Zenit to make his first basketball step in Europe. Shabazz is the kind of player who leads the team in attack and is very good at making important decisions," said Zenit's Head Coach Xavi Pascual in a statement. "He is a player who leads a team to create and make important decisions. He is very good at developing a quick attack, has great ball-handling, and very versatile offense."

"With this signing, we have significantly increased the potential of our backline. The club and coaching staff will make every effort to ensure that Shabazz adapts to European basketball and everyday life as quickly as possible. I think it won't take long for our team," added General Director Alexander Tserkovny.

Current roster:

Zenit St Petersburg

Position Player Status PG Denis Zakharov Signed until 2022 PG Shabazz Napier (story) Signed until 2022 PG Conner Frankamp (story) Signeduntil 2023 SG Jordan Loyd Signeduntil 2023 SG Dmitry Kulagin Signed until 2022 SG Billy Baron (story) Signed until 2023 SG Sergey Karasev Signeduntil 2022 SF Mateusz Ponitka Signeduntil 2024 SF Dmitry Kulagin Signeduntil 2022 SF Igor Volkhin Signeduntil 2022 SF/PF Mindaugas Kuzminskas (story) Signed until 2022 PF Andrey Zubkov Signeduntil 2022 PF Maksim Karvanen Signeduntil 2022 PF/C Jordan Mickey (story) Signed until 2022 C Arturas Gudaitis Signeduntil 2024 C Alex Poythress Signeduntil 2022 Coach Xavi Pascual Expired contract Kevin Pangos, Austin Hollins (not coming back), KC Rivers (not coming back), Will Thomas, Anton Pushkov, Vitaly Fridzon, Vladislav Trushkin (not coming back) Rumored to leave Dmitry Khvostov (not coming back) Interested Kevin Pangos

See all the EuroLeague transfer market news here.

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