Thank you, Benas! Thank you, Dan!

Assistant coach Dan Shamir and scout Benas Matkevicius are leaving CSKA coaching staff. The club appreciates the work and contribution by both specialists to the Army Men victories.

The Red-Blues used the option to terminate Shamir’s contract making him free agent on coaching market. At the same time Matkevicuis will continue his career as the European scout for the most successful team in the NBA history, Boston Celtics. CSKA met the desire of Lithuanian specialist to work on the highest level possible and released him from his duties. We sincerely wish Benas not to stop improving, stay self-motivated and to make a name for himself in the National Basketball Association.

Benas Matkevicius:

After three and a half seasons working with the best players, head coaches, ast. coaches and office workers in Europe it’s not easy just to say goodbye and leave. I enjoyed working at the highest basketball level in Europe and am very grateful for this experience, don’t take anything for granted and surely understand that I wouldn’t be in this position without the help of certain people! It is my duty to thank Coach Kazlauskas who brought me to CSKA and gave me this chance of working with the best in this business by giving me a platform to help the team and gain priceless experience! Without question I thank Coach Messina for ’raising me’ in the last two seasons and teaching me to see the game with different eyes. Also, giving me a platform to be heard and helping me to become who I am today! And certainly, our front office with Andrey Vatutin and Natalia Furaeva, who always believed in me, my knowledge and work ethic. Were always supportive and helpful when it was needed and provided me with every tool necessary to be successful in what I do! I wish Coach Itoudis, his new staff and the players of 2014/15 a successful season and the Euroleague title, which everybody is working so hard for! It’s an honor for me to move from one first-class franchise in Europe to another in the US and continue my career with the Boston Celtics.

Dan Shamir:

It was a great honor for me to be a part of such a great club with rich and victorious history, to help CSKA win another titles. I met a lot of great people from organization and coaching staff and I truly happy about it. This was a very strong experience for me both professionally and personally. I’d like to thank people of CSKA and coach Messina for this opportunity and experience.