Avtodor Saratov signs Zeljko Sakic

Last season, the Avtodor rookie was the leader of Letkabelis, who helped him get into the Champions League playoffs, as well as finish in 3rd place in the Lithuanian Championship and win bronze medals of the Country Cup. In the Champions League 2019/20, Sakic spent 16 games, entering the top five best players of the entire European tournament in terms of efficiency and becoming the 8th BLP sniper with an average statistics of 17.4 points (44.3% three-point), 6.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 interceptions for 31.1 minutes.

In 24 matches of the Lithuanian 2019/20 Championship, the Croatian striker scored an average of 13.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 "assists" and 1.1 interceptions in 27.4 minutes. On January 5, it was Sakic with 20 points and 7 rebounds who became the main creator of the victory of Letkabelis over Zalgiris ( 83:72) At the end of the season, the team from Panevezys settled down in the top three (only Zalgiris and Ritas passed ahead), and the newcomer Avtodor was included in the 2nd symbolic five of the Lithuanian championship.

Zhelko already has experience playing in the VTB United League – in the 2018/19 season, he, together with his current teammate Markel Starks, defended the colors of Zielona-Gury. On February 10, 2019, Sakic became the best player in the victory match against Avtodor ( 108: 100 ), having written 19 points and 14 rebounds into his account. On March 31, 2019 in Saratov, the Croatian striker "limited" 12 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

In addition, behind Sakic– 15 matches in the national team of Croatia (including 4 games at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro). In the last matches of the Croatian national team, which took place on February 21 and 24 as part of the qualifying tournament for the European Championship 2021, the newcomer Avtodora appeared on the floor from the first minutes and helped to defeat Sweden – 72:56 (7 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists ) and the Netherlands – 69:59 (8 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds). He also played for the country’s youth team at the European Championships in Greece-2006 and Latvia-2008.

Zeljko Šakic– A pupil of the youth basketball school “Cibona”. He began his professional career in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, after which he performed at the Italian Montegranaro, the Spanish Manresa, the Bulgarian Lukoil Academic, the Croatian Zibone, the Romanian U-BT, the Polish Zelena Gora and Lithuanian Letkabelis.

Vladimir RODIONOV

President of Avtodor:

"Zeljko Shakich – an experienced fourth or fifth number with a competent vision of the site, medium and long throw. Productive on rebounds and comfortable in a quick game. This season, the Croatian striker was the leader of Letkabelis and led a modest team to the Champions League playoffs. We consider the acquisition of Shakich breeding luck. The presence of a basketball player with such experience and skill in combination with our talented youth is very important in the team. "

Zhelko SHAKICH

Forward of Avtodor:

Avtodor made me the quickest offer, his leadership proved to be very good in communication and negotiations, so in the end I am happy to become part of the club for the next season. I hope we will have many good days, good matches, and we will fight to the end. I will do everything in my power for the team to win, and I hope that Markel Starks will help me in this. Two years ago we played with him in Zielona Gora, so we know each other very well. I am happy and motivated to come to Saratov. See you soon!”.

DOSSIER:

Zhelko SHAKICH

Date of birth: April 14, 1988

Height: 204 cm.

Weight: 106 kg.

Amplitude: Forward.

Place of birth: Zagreb (Yugoslavia).

Citizenship: Croatia.

SPORTS CAREER:

Teams:

2006–2007 – Kaptol (Zagreb, Croatia)

2007–2010 – Dubrava (Zagreb, Croatia)

2010–2011 – Zrinsky (Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

2011–2013 – Shiroki (Shiroki-Brieg, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

2013–2014 – Montegranaro (Italy)

2014–2015 – Manresa (Spain)

2015–2016 – Lukoil Academic (Sofia, Bulgaria)

2016–2017 – Zibona (Zagreb, Croatia)

2017–2018 – U-BT (Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

2018–2019 – Zielona Gora (Poland)

2019–2020 – Letkabelis (Panevezys, Lithuania)

Personal achievements:

2020 – Cup semi-finalist Of Lithuania.

2020 – 2nd symbolic five of the championship of Lithuania.

2018 – winner of the Romanian Cup.

2018 – bronze medalist of the Romanian championship.

2018 is the best forward of the championship of Romania.

2018 – the symbolic five of the championship of Romania.

2017 – FIBA ​​Europe Cup quarter-finalist.

2017 – silver medalist of the Croatian championship.

2017 – the symbolic five of the championship of Croatia.

2016 – champion of Bulgaria.

2016 – finalist of the Cup of Bulgaria.

2016 – MVP Championship of Bulgaria.

2016 – participant of the All-Star Match of the Bulgarian Championship.

2013 – silver medalist of the championship of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

2013 – finalist of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Cup.

2013 – the symbolic five legionnaires of the championship of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

2012 – winner of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Cup.

2011, 2012 – two-time champion of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

2011 is the best forward of the Balkan League.

2010 – participant of the All-Star Game of the Croatian Championship.