Thank you, Matjaz!

After a conversation with a player and taking into consideration the mutual interests our club decided to use the contract option and to part ways with Matjaz Smodis. Legendary forward spent six glorious seasons with CSKA and our club sincerely wishes Matjaz family happiness and success in his future career.

Smodis signed with CSKA in 2005 and in his six seasons won 2 Euroleague titles (2006, 2008), 6 Russian championships (2006-11), 3 Russian Cups (2006, 2007, 2010) and VTB United League (2010). Also Matjaz was named to All-Euroleague Second Team in 2007.

Smodis averages for CSKA:
- Euroleague: 81 games, 11.3 points (49.4% two-pointers, 39.6% three-pointers, 74.7% free throws), 4.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.7 steals in 23.4 minutes;
- VTB United League: 10 games, 9.8 points (50.0% two-pointers, 42.9% three-pointers, 78.6% free throws), 3.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.3 steals in 13.5 minutes;
- Russian regular championships: 90 games, 10.8 points (56.8% two-pointers, 41.8% three-pointers, 77.8% free throws), 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 steals in 20.6 minutes;
- Russian playoffs: 48 games, 11.0 points (56.1% two-pointers, 41.4% three-pointers, 84.3% free throws), 3.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.4 steals in 19.6 minutes;
- Russian Cups: 10 games, 12.5 points (64.2% two-pointers, 33.3% three-pointers, 80.5% free throws), 3.6 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.8 steals in 18.9 minutes.

Andrey Vatutin, CSKA President:

It is easy to say that Matjaz was an important part of great team, co-author of many bright victories, one of the best players in the world on his position. It is much more difficult to understand that we say goodbye to the person who is the real, reliable friend of mine, of many people in the club and on the team. I told once that I do not feel a 5-year difference between us: Matjaz words are always smart and weighted. Here in CSKA he proved to be a great player, captain, teacher, coach’s assistant on the court, the man of strong character and good soul. Matjaz is a real leader and fighter, he was especially important for the team in tough times as a role model, a link between the teammates. He always had to fight – with the opponents, circumstances, injuries, and Matjaz was always a winner of those fights. Parting the ways with him is a fruit of tough struggle of heart and mind. I am sure that we will see Smodis and his big great family on our arena a lot of times.