CSKA lands Kazlauskas as coach through 2013

CSKA Moscow has reached an agreement with coach Jonas Kazlauskas to work together until the end of the 2012-13 season, the club announced Monday. Kazlauskas, age 56, arrives from the Greek National Team, which he coached in each of the last two seasons, taking part in the 2010 World Championships and winning the bronze medal at EuroBasket 2009. His last Euroleague team was Olympiacos, which he helped to reach the Quarterfinal Playoffs in the 2005-06 season. Kazlauskas also coached the Chinese national team from 2004 to 2008, first as Del Harris's assistant before taking over in 2005. He helped China to win the 2005 FIBA Asian Championship and the Asian Games in 2006, also reaching the Olympic Games Quarterfinals in Beijing 2008. Kazlauskas also coached Zalgiris in its glory days, winning the Euroleague title in 1999 and lifting the Saporta Cup trophy in 1998. He also won five consecutive Lithuanian League titles from 1994 to 1999. He also won the Lithuanian League with Lietuvos Rytas in 2002. He replaces Dimitry Shakulin, who was promoted to interim coach since Dusko Vujosevic was fired in late November.

"We are very serious about the club’s future and were very cautious and careful to choose our new coach. Jonas is an experienced and motivated coach who is known for his abilities to build balanced teams and who knows how to work with the young players," CSKA President & CEO Andrey Vatutin said. "We liked his big desire to work for CSKA. We are grateful to Dmitry Shakulin for his readiness and enthusiasm to work during tough transition times."