Hristo Nikolov (basketball)
 Hristo Nikolov Glarusa | |
| No. 10 – Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski | |
|---|---|
| Position | Forward |
| League | PLK |
| Personal information | |
| Born |
October 2, 1985 Burgas, Bulgaria |
| Nationality | Bulgarian |
| Listed height | 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) |
| Listed weight | 108 kg (238 lb) |
| Career information | |
| Playing career | 2002–present |
| Career history | |
| 2002–2008 | PBC CSKA Sofia |
| 2008–2010 | PBC Lukoil Academic |
| 2010–2011 | Steaua București |
| 2011–2012 | Szolnoki Olaj KK |
| 2012–2013 | U BT Cluj-Napoca |
| 2013–2014 | Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez |
| 2014–2015 | Union Olimpija |
| 2015–2015 | BC Levski 2014 Sofia |
| 2015–2016 | Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Hristo Yanchev Nikolov (Bulgarian: Христо Янчев Николов) (born October 2, 1985) is a Bulgarian professional basketball player and a captain of the Bulgaria national basketball team. Currently plays for Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski of the Polish Basketball League.
Player Profile
Often called by his nickname Glarusa (the Gull), Hristo Nikolov has a strong body structure and masculine built. He is 6 feet, 6 inches tall (2 m) and weighs 238 pounds (108 kg). Nikolov primary plays as a small forward and power forward, even though he is versatile and performs great in other positions on the court. Known for his quick first step and strong perimeter shooting, Hristo shows strong abilities on offense and an excellent defensive end. When he plays as a point guard, he averages 5.4 assist. Has a solid vertical, good court vision and reads well passing lines.
Professional Career
PBC CSKA Sofia (Aug 2003 – Jun 2005), Bulgaria
Nikolov’s first professional basketball appearance happens in PBC CSKA Sofia, after he gets accepted at the age of 16. Despite his young age, for the time being he participates in the Bulgarian’s edition of the basketball AllStar game, becomes a cup holder in the National Basketball League and ends on second place in the championship.
Casper College (Aug 2004 – Jan 2006), U.S.
After two successful years playing in the men’s league for CSKA Sofia, Hristo Nikolov wins a scholarship and leaves Bulgaria to participate in a basketball program, provided by Casper College in Casper, Wyoming, United States. There he gets introduced to the American basketball traditions. Nikolov is among the team leaders, where he averages 19.00 ppg. [1] [2]
PBC CSKA Sofia (Jan 2006 – Jun 2008), Bulgaria
Once his scholarship program is over, Hristo Nikolov turns back to Bulgaria and immediately signs with his old club – CSKA Sofia. He participates in the AllStar game and quickly creates a reputation of a hard working and skilled player. Shows leadership qualities and is often among the playmakers in the team. Averages 14 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 45 Bulgarian League contests.[3]
Lukoil Academic ( Aug 2008 – Jan 2010), Bulgaria
Once proven his ability to learn fast and his tenacious and hard working nature, Nikolov is spotted by another basketball club in the local league – PBC Lukoil Academic. Glarusa becomes the first new player ahead of the upcoming season and is quoted to be a competitor with a great potential. Becomes two times champion of Bulgaria. Participates in the AllStar game and the Eurocup. [4][5]
Steaua București (Aug 2010 – Jun 2011), Romania
After his two-years contract with Lukoil Academic is over, Hristo Nikolov signs with the 21 championships winner Steaua București and immediately becomes a leader on the court. With his help the club reaches Romanian cup finals and 3rd place in the Championship. Participates in the Eurochallenge contest. [6][7]
Szolnoki Olaj KK (Aug 2011 – May 2013), Hungary
Nikolov’s great season at Steaua Bucuresti brings the attention to the Hungarian basketball experts and shortly after the annual break, Hristo signs with 5 times Hungarian Championship and 5 time Hungarian Cup holder Szolnoki Olaj KK. With Szolnoki Nikolov wins the Super Cup, gets to the final four of the EuroChallenge contest in Debrecen, participates in the local AllStar game and holds the MVP title of the Championship. [8]
National Team of Bulgaria (Jul 2012 – Sept 2012), Eurobasket
The past few seasons bring Hristo Nikolov to a forefront as one of the most promising playmakers for the upcoming Eurobasket challenge. At that time, the Bulgarian National Basketball Team is under the coaching of Rosen Barchovski and assistant coaches Ivan Cholakov and Ludmil Hadjisotirov. The team reaches qualifications round, but does not go further. [9][10]
”U” MOBITELCO (Aug 2012 – May 2013), Romania
After becomes a champion with his Hungarian team, Hristo gets transferred back in Romania, but this time as a player of “U” MOBITELCO. The Romanian team reaches finals at the Romanian cup tournament. Nikolov participates in the Romanian AllStar game. [11]
Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez (Aug 2013 – May 2014), France
Already a strong leader and a skillful player, Hristo Nikolov gets noticed by the French Pro A League experts. In August 2013 he signs his contract for the French professional basketball club Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez. [12]
Olimpija Ljubljana (Aug 2014 - 2015), Slovenia
Hristo Nikolov had a successful season, playing for the Slovenian professional basketball club Olimpija Ljubljana, which competes in Eurocup, Premier A Slovenian Basketball League and the Adriatic League.[13]
BC Levski (February 2015 - December 2015), Bulgaria
After having played abroad for several years, Hristo Nikolov came back to Bulgaria to join the Bulgarian BC Levski Sofia until he got signed with the Polish Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski.
Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski (December 2015 - Present)
Hristo joined the Polish Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski on the 10th of December 2015. Nikolov is currently among the starting five, playing the position of power forward. The team competes in the Polish Basketball League. [14]
Early Life & Education
Hristo Nikolov was born in Burgas, Bulgaria on October 2, 1985. He got introduced to basketball after joining the local basketball club “Dolphin” in 1997. Shortly after that in 2000, at the age of 16, Nikolov got transferred in the professional basketball club CSKA – Sofia where his professional career in basketball has begun. Has an education in Agribusiness & Rural development.
Off Court
Hristo Nikolov is known for his entrepreneurial spirit, business ventures and conclusive support for a variety of charity causes and organizations. Currently owns a website on Bulgarian basketball(http://bball.bg). [15]
References
- ↑ Casper College, "Casper College Thunderbirds Basketball - Season Box Score", 2006
- ↑ BGBasket, "Hristo Nikolov returns from the States". 2005-12-07.
- ↑ Alexander Sotirov, "Glarusa saved CSKA". 2008-03-16.
- ↑ ULEBcup.com, “Lukoil Academic gets forward Hristo Nikolov”, 2008-06-16
- ↑ DarikNews, "Glarusa signs with Lukoil for 2 years"., 2008-05-21
- ↑ Cornelius Ilin, “Păltinişanu and Nikolov - the most efficient players in the game”, 2011-02-27
- ↑ Cornelius Ilin, "With the MVP Star Virgil Căruţaşu Steaua takes a serious option for qualification in the Final Four of the Romanian Cup", 2011-02-09
- ↑ Roxana Prichichi, “Nikolov – Second Maker of the Hungarians”, 2011-09-09
- ↑ EuroBasket 2013, “Bulgaria Ease Past Luxemburg”, 2012-08-24
- ↑ EuroBasket2013, “A Day of Reckoning”, 2012-09-11
- ↑ Luminita Turcu, Adina Osan “All Star Game: South-North, score 114-114., 2013-03-19
- ↑ E. Carchia, “Pau-Orthez signs Hristo Nikolov”
- ↑ Eurocupbasketball.com, "Union Olimpija signs forward Nikolov", 2014-08-18
- ↑ Sportowefakty.wp.pl, "Były kapitan Bułgarii, Hristo Nikolov w BM Slam Stal!", 2015-12-11
- ↑ Hristo Nikolov - Glarusa, "The beauty of basketball". 2014-10-20.