Mikhail Belenitsky – is in UNICS!

Main team news

04.04.2024

Mikhail Belenitsky, the small forward of Pari Nizhny Novgorod, joined UNICS on loan. The agreement with the 21-year-old player is valid until the end of the season.

Belenitsky is the winner of the Russian Cup and the silver medalist of the tournament as part of Pari Nizhny Novgorod. The newcomer of UNICS has been playing for the Nizhny Novgorod club since 2019. Last season, Mikhail helped his club to win the National Cup, and this year – to reach the finals.

In the regular season of the VTB United League 2023/24, Belenitsky played 30 matches for Pari Nizhny Novgorod (20 of them in the starting lineup), averaging 4.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.7 steals in 18 and a half minutes of playing time.

At the international level, Mikhail became the winner of the European U16 Championship in the B division in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) as part of the Russian cadet national team in 2018. A year later, the forward took part in the junior European U18 Championship in Volos (Greece), where the Russians finished sixth. In January 2023, Belenitsky received his first call-up to the Russian national team. On February 21, 2023, Belenitsky made his debut for the Russian national team in a friendly match against Serbian Mega (85:74).

Welcome to UNICS, Mikhail!

Velimir PERASOVIC, BC UNICS head coach:

«I am very pleased with the signing of Andrey Vorontsevich and Mikhail Belenitsky. The playoffs will start very soon, and UNICS has problems with the injured players. So far, we do not know the exact timing of the return of injured players to the court. Under these circumstances, the club has added high-quality basketball players. I am sure Andrey and Mikhail will be able to adapt quickly to the team and will benefit at the crucial stage of the season».

Mikhail BELENITSKY, BC UNICS forward:

«I have extremely positive emotions. To join UNICS is a good opportunity for me to try myself at a higher level and get out of my comfort zone.

If we talk about individual tasks, I will try to earn as much playing time as possible and gain a foothold in the base. And we have one team goal – to win the VTB United League championship».