Report: Former Jazz All-Star elected head of Russian basketball
The Russian Basketball Federation is going through some hard times. The organization was suspended as a governing body in July by FIBA, and the previous election of a president was overturned thanks to internal legal battles.
Enter Andrei Kirilenko, according to the Associated Press, which reports that the long-time member of the Utah Jazz was elected as new president of the federation after his lone opponent withdrew.
The Russian men's basketball team still has an opportunity to qualify for the 2016 Olympics if the governing body can show that it has reformed and is reinstated, according to the AP, and FIBA hopes to be able to assist the team in its preparations.
"It’s really important to spend time on preparation, so that there is the most positive possible atmosphere in the 10 days that are left until the European Championship," Kirilenko said. "We really don’t want our players to have any problems with their preparation."
(h/t NY Daily News)
