Azovmash Mariupol lands Oleksiy Pecherov

BC Azovmash Mariupol added one of Ukraine's top players to its roster by signing power forward Oleksiy Pecherov to a two-year contract. Pecherov (2.12 meters, 25 years old) arrives from Armani Jeans Milano. He made a brilliant Turkish Airlines Euroleague debut last season with Milan in which he made 5 of 7 three-pointers for 23 points in a win at CSKA Moscow, but then missed the next seven games due to injury. He also averaged 7.8 points and 4.9 rebounds in 16-plus minutes in 24 Italian League appearances. Pecherov made his debut in 2003 with BK Politekhnik Kharkov and the following season helped BC Kyiv win the Ukrainian League. Pecherov spent the 2005-06 season in France with Paris Basket Racing. After another season with Kyiv, Pecherov travelled overseas and played two season in the NBA with Washington and Minnesota. He is also a regular with the Ukrainian national team.