Brooklyn Nets: Who Is Sergey Karasev?

Of all the players the Brooklyn Nets acquired or drafted this offseason, Sergey Karasev is the least likely to come to mind. The 20-year-old forward from Russia was drafted by the Cavaliers with the 19th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.

On July 10, Karasev was traded to Brooklyn along with Jarrett Jack.

A Nets official told NetsDaily in July that “Our scouts were waiting for Sergey at No. 22 last year.”

While with Cleveland, Karasev was given multiple D-League assignments. Playing for the Canton Charge, he averaged close to 14 points and five rebounds, while shooting 41 percent from deep. Outside of his experience on the Charge, Karasev played in only 22 games with Cleveland, averaging seven minutes per game.

Karasev has a successful tenure playing under his father and current Triumph Lyubertsy head coach, Vasily Karasev. Karasev played three seasons for Lyubertsy averaging 16 points, while shooting 44 percent from the field and 49 percent from the 3-point line in his final season.

Some of his accomplishments include: a 19-point performance against a talented USA Basketball squad at the U-19 World Championship in Latvia, leading the Russian Professional Basketball league in scoring at 18 years old and earning an invitation to the Russian Men’s National Team that won bronze at the 2012 London Olympics.

Before he was drafted, Karasev was described an unselfish, spot-up shooter with great court vision. He doesn’t have an explosive first step and could struggle to play defense at the professional level. As part of Lyubertsy, Karasev was a go-to player for the offense and his shooting percentage often suffered.

Current Cavaliers head coach, and former Russian National Team coach, David Blatt seems to think that his he only has room to improve.

"“He’s a special talent, a three position player. He doesn’t look athletic, but he does athletic things,” Blatt told Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress. “He still hasn’t grown into his frame. He will improve his strength. He’s a quick and attentive learner. He held his own on defense better than I thought he would.”"