Ivan Zaytsev joins the main team

A native of Syzran, where he started playing basketball under the guidance of his mother Oksana, is actually a product of BC Khimki. Ivan joined the youth team of CSKA in 2022 after few years in the system of Moscow Region team. Over the past three years, Zaytsev has gradually become one of the leaders of the reserve team, becoming vice-champion of the VTB United Youth League in 2024 and the SuperLeague in 2025.

Last season, Ivan played in 47 games for CSKA-2 in the SuperLeague and Russian Cup, starting in 38 of them. He averaged 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals in 23.1 minutes per game. The young basketball player also had cameo appearances in 4 games of the 2023-24 VTB League and regular participation in the main team’s training process, including this year’s playoffs.

Andreas Pistiolis, CSKA head coach:

Ivan has worked, and showed significant improvement over the last season. He was vital to his team’s [CSKA-2] success and now it's time for him to take the next step. I am looking forward to working with him in the next season.

Ivan Zaitsev, CSKA guard:

Being in the main team of CSKA, an organization of the highest level and a rich history, is the dream of any basketball player, and I am no exception. Since joining the club, I have done everything possible to get into the main team and play alongside such masters as Nikita Kurbanov and Semen Antonov, while such an opportunity exists. It is important to gain experience from them, because they are always ready to communicate, they have already constantly prompted me when I came to training. I understand that I will not get much playing time at first, so I will try to learn as much as possible from top basketball players, representatives of my position - after all, Casper and Melo are still on the team, Cleveland has arrived, there are other great players. During the preparation for the final series, when I worked with the team, I noticed the similarity in the coaching approach, the requirements of Andreas Pistiolis and Anton Yudin. Therefore, I think it will not be difficult for me to get used to the system. Another thing is the level of physical contact, the quickness of decision-making, the cost of each mistake in the VTB League, the increased attention of fans. I will try to quickly adapt, match the level and justify all expectations.