2021–22 VTB United League

VTB United League
Season2021–22
Duration23 September 2021 – 17 April 2022
(Regular season)
22 April 2022 – 5 June 2022
(Playoffs)
Teams10
Regular season
Season MVPCroatia Mario Hezonja
Finals
ChampionsRussia Zenit Saint Petersburg (1st title)
  Runners-upRussia CSKA Moscow
Third placeRussia UNICS
Fourth placeRussia Lokomotiv Kuban
Playoffs MVPUnited States Jordan Mickey
Records
Biggest home winLokomotiv Kuban 109–57 Astana
(30 March 2022)
Biggest away winTsmoki Minsk 44–92 CSKA Moscow (23 September 2021)
Astana 48–96 CSKA Moscow (10 April 2022)
Highest scoringZenit 110–111 (2OT) CSKA Moscow
(27 May 2022)
Highest attendance12,231
CSKA Moscow 75–81 Zenit
(5 June 2022)
Lowest attendance290
Avtodor 81–74 Zielona Góra
(11 December 2021)
Excluding the games played without fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the games played with restricted attendance for the same reason
All statistics correct as of 5 June 2022.

The 2021–22 VTB United League was the 13th season of the VTB United League. It was the 9th season that the league functions as the Russian domestic first tier level. Two teams left the league mid-season because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Teams

A total of 10 teams from three countries contest the league, including eight sides from Russia, one from Belarus, and one from Kazakhstan.[1]

BC Khimki didn't apply for this season because of the financial difficulties.[2]

On 24 February 2022, Estonian club Kalev/Cramo terminated their membership in the VTB United League in protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[3] The next day the league confirmed receiving declaration letter from the club.[4] On 25 February, Polish club Zielona Góra also suspended their participation in the competition.[5][6] On 1 March, VTB United League released a statement "Zielona Góra has suspended participation in the League at the moment, the next three home games have been postponed".[7]

Venues and locations

class=notpageimage|
Locations of teams in the 2021–22 VTB United League
Team Home city Arena Capacity
Kazakhstan Astana Nur-Sultan Arena Velotrack 9,270[8]
Russia Avtodor Saratov DS Kristall 5,500[9]
Russia CSKA Moscow Moscow Megasport Arena 13,344[10]
Russia Enisey Krasnoyarsk Arena.Sever 4,000[11]
Estonia Kalev/Cramo Tallinn Saku Suurhall 7,200[12]
Russia Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar Basket-Hall 7,500[13]
Russia Nizhny Novgorod Nizhny Novgorod Trade Union Sport Palace 5,500[14]
Russia Parma Perm UDS Molot 7,000
Belarus Tsmoki Minsk Minsk Minsk-Arena 15,000[15]
Russia UNICS Kazan Basket-Hall 7,000[16]
Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg Sibur Arena 6,381[17]
Poland Zielona Góra Zielona Góra CRS Hall Zielona Góra 6,080


Regular season

In the regular season, teams play against each other twice (home-and-away) in a round-robin format.

Standings

Pos Team
 Pld W L PF PA PD PCT Qualification or relegation
1 Russia CSKA Moscow 18 15 3 1596 1260 +336 .833 Advance to playoffs
2 Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg 18 14 4 1537 1332 +205 .778
3 Russia UNICS 18 14 4 1530 1316 +214 .778
4 Russia Lokomotiv Kuban 18 11 7 1663 1566 +97 .611
5 Russia Parma 18 10 8 1370 1388 −18 .556
6 Russia Avtodor 18 9 9 1475 1559 −84 .500
7 Russia Enisey 18 6 12 1381 1474 −93 .333
8 Russia Nizhny Novgorod 18 6 12 1353 1418 −65 .333
9 Belarus Tsmoki Minsk 18 3 15 1225 1543 −318 .167
10 Kazakhstan Astana 18 2 16 1212 1486 −274 .111
11 Poland Zielona Góra 0 0 0 0 0 0 — Retired from the league
12 Estonia Kalev/Cramo 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
Source: VTB League

Results

Home \ Away AST AVT CSK ENI KAL LOK NIZ PAR TSM UNI ZEN ZGA
Astana — 61–84 48–96 80–87 − 87–83 49–69 65–82 64–65 53–84 60–94 84–70
Avtodor 83–82 — 86–102 79–80 − 95–108 100–94 70–86 95–79 81–76 75–93 81–74
CSKA Moscow 84–65 92–65 — 97–88 104–62 91–71 80–72 98–71 101–54 103–105 79–78 105–71
Enisey 76–65 95–101 62–87 — − 82–86 87–79 61–78 86–79 80–83 56–79 –
Kalev/Cramo 85–67 93–97 67–56 81–87 — 66–86 − 53–80 − − 74–75 −
Lokomotiv Kuban 109–57 106–83 69–88 101–93 − — 97–70 101–74 92–87 101–94 79–106 –
Nizhny Novgorod 76–73 70–83 72–92 61–79 65–71 108–104 — 79–65 72–65 50–65 74–80 –
Parma 108–101 94–73 60–82 61–58 78–74 85–90 71–67 — 91–68 66–73 77–67 83–72
Tsmoki Minsk 66–60 64–72 44–92 72–68 93–91 79–104 53–95 75–78 — 72–92 74–90 –
UNICS 71–59 103–67 69–64 97–77 71–54 96–87 85–71 78–48 98–56 — 80–84 92–63
Zenit Saint Petersburg 69–83 74–83 81–68 89–66 75–60 91–75 90–74 82–75 93–73 97–81 — 97–80
Zielona Góra 91–83 – 59–93 – − 90–98 77–95 – 96–64 80–85 52–79 —
Source: VTB United League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Red = away team win.

Playoffs

Quarterfinals, semifinals, and bronze medal series were played in a best-of-five format (2-2-1). Finals were played in a best-of-seven format (2-2-1-1-1).

Bracket

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
         
1 Russia CSKA Moscow 3
8 Russia Nizhny Novgorod 0
1 Russia CSKA Moscow 3
4 Russia Lokomotiv Kuban 1
4 Russia Lokomotiv Kuban 3
5 Russia Parma 0
1 Russia CSKA Moscow 3
2 Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg 4
2 Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg 3
7 Russia Enisey 0
2 Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg 3 Bronze medal
3 Russia UNICS 1
3 Russia UNICS 3 3 Russia UNICS 3
6 Russia Avtodor 0 4 Russia Lokomotiv Kuban 1

Quarterfinals

Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5
CSKA Moscow Russia 3–0 Russia Nizhny Novgorod 78–64 91–89 88–75 — —
Zenit Saint Petersburg Russia 3–0 Russia Enisey 104–55 83–75 82–55 — —
UNICS Russia 3–0 Russia Avtodor 106–76 97–59 88–79 — —
Lokomotiv Kuban Russia 3–0 Russia Parma 76–70 100–84 101–78 — —

Semifinals

Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5
CSKA Moscow Russia 3–1 Russia Lokomotiv Kuban 93–90 86–72 82–94 94–84 —
Zenit Saint Petersburg Russia 3–1 Russia UNICS 65–74 76–67 68–67 75–69 —

Bronze medal series

Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5
UNICS Russia 3–1 Russia Lokomotiv Kuban 90–75 81–94 93–87 94–73 —

Finals

Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 Game 7
CSKA Moscow Russia 3–4 Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg 83–59 82–73 79–93 111–110 95–97 63–82 75–81

† To be played only if necessary.

VTB League teams in European competitions

Team Competition Progress
CSKA Moscow EuroLeague Regular season
(teams were suspended)
UNICS
Zenit Saint Petersburg
Lokomotiv Kuban EuroCup
Nizhny Novgorod Champions League Regular season
Kalev/Cramo Regular season
Avtodor FIBA Europe Cup Second round
Parma Second round
Tsmoki-Minsk Regular season
Enisey Qualifying rounds

Awards

Season awards

Award Player Team Ref.
Regular Season MVP Croatia Mario Hezonja Russia UNICS
[18]
Playoffs MVP United States Jordan Mickey Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg
Scoring Champion United States Errick McCollum Russia Lokomotiv Kuban
[19]
Young Player of the Year Russia Andrey Martyuk Russia Lokomotiv Kuban
[20]
Coach of the Year Greece Dimitrios Itoudis Russia CSKA Moscow
[21]
Performance of the Season United States Anthony Hickey Kazakhstan Astana
[22]
Sixth Man of the Year United States Billy Baron Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg
[23]
Defensive Player of the Year United States Jordan Mickey Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg
[24]
First Team United States Errick McCollum Russia Lokomotiv Kuban [25]
Russia Alexey Shved Russia CSKA Moscow
Croatia Mario Hezonja Russia UNICS
United States Jordan Mickey Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg
Serbia Nikola Milutinov Russia CSKA Moscow
Second Team United States Jordan Loyd Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg [26]
United States Billy Baron Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg
United States Will Clyburn Russia CSKA Moscow
United States Johnathan Motley Russia Lokomotiv Kuban
United States Alex Poythress Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg

MVP of the Month

Month Player Team Ref.
2021
September/October Denmark Gabriel Lundberg Russia CSKA Moscow [27]
November Croatia Mario Hezonja Russia UNICS [28]
December United States Kenny Chery Russia Avtodor [29]
2022
January United States Jeremiah Hill Russia Parma [30]
February United States Alex Poythress Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg [31]
March Russia Alexey Shved Russia CSKA Moscow [32]
April United States Billy Baron Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg [33]

References

  1. ^ Арасланов, Марат. "«Заявки на следующий сезон прислали все клубы, кроме «Химок». Это очень грустная новость»". www.championat.com (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  2. ^ Гусейнов, Микаил. "«Химки» не выступят в Единой лиге ВТБ в следующем сезоне". www.championat.com (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  3. ^ "Official statement by the club regarding the participation in VTB League after actions taken by Russian Federation". bckalev.ee. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  4. ^ "Kalev withdraws from the VTB United League". vtb-league.com. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  5. ^ "Oświadczenie klubu w sprawie występów w lidze VTB". basketzg.pl. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Zielona Gora joins Kalev/Cramo in departing the VTB United League". eurohoops.net. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  7. ^ "VTB League 2021/22 season continues". vtb-league.com. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  8. ^ "VTB United League". www.vtb-league.com. Retrieved 30 November 2017. Arena Velotrack Capacity: 9270 spectators
  9. ^ "VTB United League". www.vtb-league.com. Retrieved 30 November 2017. DS Kristall Capacity: 5500
  10. ^ "VTB United League". www.vtb-league.com. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  11. ^ "VTB United League". www.vtb-league.com. Retrieved 30 November 2017. Arena.Sever Capacity: 4000 spectators
  12. ^ "VTB United League". www.vtb-league.com. Retrieved 30 November 2017. «Saku Suurhall» Capacity: 7200 spectators
  13. ^ "VTB United League". www.vtb-league.com. Retrieved 30 November 2017. «Basket-hall» Capacity: 7500 spectators
  14. ^ "VTB United League". www.vtb-league.com. Retrieved 30 November 2017. «Nizhniy Novgorod Trade Union Sport Palace» Capacity: 5500 spectators
  15. ^ "VTB United League". www.vtb-league.com. Retrieved 30 November 2017. «Minsk-Arena» Capacity: 15,000 spectators
  16. ^ "VTB United League". www.vtb-league.com. Retrieved 30 November 2017. Basket-Hall Capacity: 7000 spectators
  17. ^ "VTB United League". www.vtb-league.com. Retrieved 30 November 2017. SK Yubileyniy Capacity: 6381 spectators
  18. ^ "Марио Хезонья — MVP регулярного сезона" (in Russian). VTB United League. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  19. ^ "Эрик Макколлум — обладатель приза «Самый результативный игрок сезона-2021/22»" (in Russian). VTB United League. 3 May 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  20. ^ "Андрей Мартюк – лучший молодой игрок Лиги в сезоне 2021/22" (in Russian). VTB United League. 10 May 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  21. ^ "Димитрис Итудис — лучший тренер сезона 2021/22" (in Russian). VTB United League. 5 May 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  22. ^ "Энтони Хики — обладатель награды «Лучший перфоманс сезона-2021/22»" (in Russian). VTB United League. 2 May 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  23. ^ "Билли Бэрон – лучший «шестой» игрок в сезоне 2021/22" (in Russian). VTB United League. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  24. ^ "Джордан Мики – лучший защищающийся игрок в сезоне 2021/22" (in Russian). VTB United League. 8 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  25. ^ "VTB United League Teams". www.eurobasket.com. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  26. ^ "VTB United League Basketball 2021-2022 Teams". www.eurobasket.com. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  27. ^ "Iffe Lundberg becomes the first MVP of the 21/22 season". VTB United League. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  28. ^ "Mario Hezonja is the MVP of November". VTB United League. 23 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  29. ^ "Kenny Chery is the MVP of December". VTB United League. 30 December 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  30. ^ "Jeremiah Hill is the MVP of January". VTB United League. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  31. ^ "Alex Poythress is the MVP of February". VTB United League. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  32. ^ "Алексей Швед — MVP марта" (in Russian). VTB United League. 1 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  33. ^ "Билли Бэрон — MVP апреля" (in Russian). VTB United League. 22 April 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2022.