Russia's star basketball player Maria Stepanova will likely retire at the end of this season, the Olympian medalist said Tuesday.
" For now I don't want to run ahead of things, but most likely this season will be the last one in my career and at UGMK," Stepanova said at a press conference.
Stepanova said she had given up playing for Russia's national team to give herself more time to get into good shape before her last season at the Yekaterinburg club.
President of the UGMK basketball club Andrei Kozitsin, who also took part in the press conference, said that "appetite comes with eating" and said he hoped Stepanova would reconsider her decision towards the end of the season.
Stepanova is widely considered to be one of Russia's most talented basketball players, having won the Euroleague, European Championships, World League as well as a bronze medal at two Olympic Games.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.