An interview with the former captain of Men’s National Team of the Republic of Belarus, who joined the coaching staff of Women's National Team as its manager at the end of his sports career, in which he tells his story about how basketball became something more than just a profession for him.
FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Pre-Qualifiers – Belarus vs Sweden. 2019
Our today's hero Aliaksandr Kudrautsau is a master of sports of the Republic of Belarus, a nine-time National Champion, winner of gold awards of Belarusian Cups, a bronze medalist of the Ukrainian and Polish basketball leagues. Kudrautsau was also recognized as the best basketball player of the country four times (2011, 2012, 2013 and 2017), and in February 2020 was inducted into the VTB United League Hall of Fame.
Aliaksandr Kudrautsau and his sister Ksenia. 1991
How basketball came into my life
All my childhood I spent with a ball outside. When I was in the 2nd grade, my father was transferred for military service from Minsk to Postavy, where I started going to the outdoor games section. After a few years, they returned to the capital. My father then became the head of the sports company of the SKA aviation regiment, so I often had the opportunity to come to the big gym and spend almost all my free time there. In general, I was an active child. Passing the obstacle course at the stadium, survival lessons in the forest, table tennis, football - I took part in all this together with the soldiers from the sports company almost every day. Then, as far as I remember, in the 6th grade I decided to go to the handball section, but because of inappropriate height they did not see me as a prospect. In rage, I decided to go the other way and signed up for basketball, where over the years I was able to prove that anthropometry does not always play a key role on the court.
First coach
My first coach was Vadim Aleksin. I will always be grateful to him for how he influenced my development in human and athletic terms. He also managed not only to develop a desire to play basketball, but also to contribute to my further development. Vadim Nikolaevich taught me to appreciate and love basketball, which eventually took one of the main roles in my life.
Together with a classmate during the university days. 2001 year
When I realized that basketball is more than just a hobby
Perhaps the final decision to link my profession with basketball was made during the years when I studied at a university in Grodno. I came to the new city in 1997 at the age of 17. At that time, it was almost impossible for me to get a foothold in the «Grodno-93» team, because there were really high-level players there. At that time, first of all, the internal struggle with myself began. I set the task not to give up and work, despite all external circumstances. I remember then agreeing to participate in any competition, regardless of their rank (the championship of GEN, regions, factory teams, etc.) in order to be able to just play. Then, after a while, Mikhail Feyman and Anatoly Iakoubenko suggested me to play in the team that was created on the basis of BNTU and the city of Minsk. There I got everything that a young basketball player needs: playing time, the trust of coaches and ambitious teammates.
The first professional team in career
The first professional club in my career was the team «Grodno-93». Once there, I was filled with completely different emotions. It was both scary and curious at the same time. In that 1997-1998 season, I spent an average of one minute on the court. I remember when I received a gold medal at the National Championship; I could not get rid of the feeling that I did not fully deserve it. It was only after many years that I realized that one can’t be so careless about even one minute spent on the court, because it is behind the daily work-out.
Aliaksandr Kudrautsau (No. 6) - player of the «Koszalin» team. Season 2003-2004
The first legionary experience
After graduating from the university in 2003, I came to the decision that it was time to try myself in some foreign championship. I was 23 years old, full of strength and confidence. In addition, this year I was invited to the National Team for the first time, as part of which I managed to perform at international competitions in Egypt. Then I had to go with the team to another tournament in Ukraine, but I made a rather adventurous decision not to go there, but to go with the team from Lida to the tournament in Poland. I remember how my actions caused a lack of understanding on the part of Aliaksandr Borisov, who was the head coach of the National Team at the time. However, despite the fact that my choice seemed illogical and unconventional to many at the time, this kind of adventure helped me to declare myself - a month later, I signed my first contract abroad with a club from the Polish secondary league «Koszalin».
Photo with teammates of the National Team of Belarus. Friendly tournament in Egypt. 2003 year
Debut for the Belarusian National Team
For the first time representing my national team in official competitions, I played in the FIBA EuroBasket 2005 Qualifiers against Albania. Then we won, and my debut was quite good: coming off the bench, I managed to score 20 points in less than 15 minutes of playing time. Since then, I have played in 74 consecutive games for the National Team, not counting various international tournaments and friendly games.
After defeating the Slovenian National Team during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers. 2018
The most striking moment in the National Team
After all, if to think about what was the most memorable moment for me as a player of the Belarusian National Team, the victory over Slovenia during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers immediately pops up in my memory. To win at home with the support of our fans was unforgettable. I also can't help but mention our victory over the Poles during the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers. Then, in 2016, we did the impossible: we won with a difference of «+19» and regained the chance to win a ticket to the continental championship. We have never been as close to getting to the top tournament as we were then, but an unfortunate defeat in the final match of qualification by the Portuguese, unfortunately, deprived us of this opportunity.
With his coach Igor Grischuk. 2006
Aliaksandr Kudrautsau (No. 10) as part of the “Charni Slupsk» team. Season 2005-2006
"Tsmoki-Minsk" player. Season 2018-2019
Club career
The period spent in Poland was a key one for me. Training and playing under the guidance of Igor Grischuk in the team «Charni Slupsk» for three seasons, I got invaluable experience and the necessary basketball knowledge. I am sure that thanks to this specialist and his approach to sport, I was able to reach a new professional level, becoming one of the best defenders of the Polish basketball league (Polska Liga Koszykowki). The tricks and subtleties of the game that he showed and explained, the methods of providing information, and the ability to motivate – it was just really useful and interesting for me. With his help, I learned such concepts as relaxation, underestimating the opponent, and non-compliance with discipline are simply not compatible with professional sports. Grischuk is a fighter to the core, being next to whom you also acquire the same desire to win. My career period at «Tsmoki-Minsk» was no less significant for me. With full confidence, I can call this club my home. During the years that I spent there, I managed to get on the floor against the giants of European basketball, and even won over some of them. I will say that, if the period of my career in Poland gave me the understanding of great basketball, then «Tsmoki» paved the right path on it.
Together with the head coach of Women's National Team of Belarus Natalia Trafimava and the coach of the U-14 National team of Belarus (girls) Elena Navoykova at the basketball festival “Step in the future”
A new phase of life
In 2019, I decided to end my career as a player, and it is time to look for myself in a new field. To be honest, initially I wanted to stay in basketball and keep contributing to our sport. However, I realized that I still do not see myself as a coach. Therefore, when the offer to work as the manager of Women's National Team of Belarus appeared, I was very happy to start my new life stage in this role. It turned out that I started my official duties in the midst of events: first, I had to prepare all the documentation for certification in the Ministry of sports, and then just a month later I had to travel with the team to the EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers in the UK. I admit that I have never worked with documents before, drawing up orders and estimates - in general, dealing with all the organizational issues of our delegation. However, circumstances forced me to quickly master all the necessary nuances and subtleties concerning the solution of these issues. Our colleagues from the RCOP and the Federation helped us a lot. Then in the UK, for the first time sitting on the team's bench during a game, I felt completely in a new role. It was very exciting to be there not as a player, but from the outside to watch and experience the events on the court. I would like to note that I am very happy to work with our girls and the coaching staff. All of them are true professionals with a responsible attitude to their work. In addition, I know everything about basketball, which helped me get used to my new place quite easily and quickly.
The official farewell ceremony from big sport. 2020
Why is basketball the best sport?
Having dedicated about 30 years of my life to this sport, I can safely say that basketball is the best ball game. For me personally, it has always been not only an interesting profession, but also an opportunity to self-actualize and find myself as an individual, find new friends, see many interesting countries and cities, experience the most diverse range of emotions and learn to achieve your goals without betraying them. I was particularly acutely aware of the importance of basketball in my life, especially at the farewell ceremony at the Sports Palace in February 2020 during the big break before the game against the Portuguese. Standing in front of the stands with the fans, at that moment, my whole life seemed to fly before my eyes, and I realized that I could consider myself a truly happy person who had the great fortune to do what I loved for so many years.
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