CSKA Moscow has agreed on the terms of transfer of center Michael Eric (32 years old, 210 cm) from the Turk Telecom Ankara. The contract with the Nigerian basketball player is signed until the end of the season.
The graduate of the Temple University has a rich career in professional basketball, which began in the NBDL (now the G-League) and the NBA Summer Leagues, continued in the clubs of the lower divisions in Greece and Italy and brought the player to the EuroLeague – immediately after winning the Eurocup with Darussafaka.
Eric spent two previous seasons in the best European club competition – for Darussafaka (2018-19) and Baskonia (2019-20), he played 57 games averaging 8.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.7 blocked shots. Michael was named MVP of the 27th round of the 2018-19 season when he scored 22 points and made 15 rebounds in a game vs Khimki.
In the summer of 2020, the center became the champion of Spain, playing side by side with the current Army Men forward Toko Shengelia, after that he parted with the Basque club. Until now, Eric has defended the colors of Turk Telekom Ankara, which is in fourth place in the Turkish League. In 19 games of the Turkish League, he averaged 24.2 minutes, 11.0 points (57.4% of two-point shots), 6.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocked shots. His averages in 6 FIBA Champions League games are 27.6 minutes, 12.2 points (60.4% of two-pointers), 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks.
Michael will join the team upon receiving all the documents required to enter Russia.
Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:
We welcome Michael to our club. Evidently, after we all were shocked by the injury of Nikola Milutinov, and we all know what Nikola was bringing us with his double-doubles, work ethic, experience, we were searching on the market very carefully. We evaluated all circumstances together with the President and all my assistants, we came to the conclusion that Michael Eric fits us with his EuroLeague experience, his size and big willingness (because I spoke with him). He understands the transition, he knows, which position he takes, who’s shoes he has to wear. We also considered the opinion of players who played with him – Toko, Darrun and Will. He is very motivated and I hope he will stay healthy and helps the team in what we want to accomplish. Definitely, we expect to restart the team with injured players coming back and with our new addition.
Michael Eric, CSKA center:
I want to thank Turk Telekom for having me and giving me a chance to compete again in Turkey and European games! I will always cherish the months and moments spent on Ankara, Turkey. I’m glad and excited to start a chapter of the 2021 season with CSKA. A EuroLeague powerhouse with championship accolades is a great opportunity for me and I’m thankful to be part of this organization. It’s time to get to work!
