BC Khimki lands Matt Nielsen

BC Khimki Moscow Region added much-needed experience to its frontcourt by inking power forward Matt Nielsen to a two-year deal on Monday. Nielsen (2.08 meters, 33 years old) arrives from Olympiacos, where he averaged 4.4 points and 2.9 rebounds in 14 Turkish Airlines Euroleague games last season. He had an outstanding 2009-10 season in which he led Power Electronics Valencia to win the Eurocup title. He was named to the All-Eurocup First Team that season, bettering his All-Eurocup Second Team selection in 2008-09, and was chosen as the 2010 Eurocup Finals MVP. Nielsen began his career in his native Australia with the Sydney Kings, whom he led to the 2003 and 2004 Australian League championships. After one season with PAOK, Nielsen spent three with Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius in Lithuania, where he helped the club win one Lithuanian League championship and two Baltic League titles. He also helped L. Rytas reach the Euroleague Top 16 twice and reach the 2007 ULEB Cup Final. Nielsen is also a member of the Australian national team, with whom he competed at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games. "Matt is a very experienced player that comes from a successful club with a great coach," BC Khimki head coach Rimas Kurtinaitis said. "I am confident that having an experienced, smart player such as him will have a positive impact in our team."