It seems like only yesterday when we read about defender Kasper Weir signing a new agreement with CSKA inside the “Oktyabrsky” mine at a depth of 750 meters. That was two years ago. Now the American has penned a fresh contract with the army club, and he did so in an equally unique fashion. Club president Andrey Vatutin noted that after going underground, it was only logical to aim as high as possible. And that’s exactly what happened: this time, the signatures were placed at a height of 354 meters—on Europe’s highest observation deck, atop the “OKO” tower in Moscow City.
It’s now nearly impossible to imagine the team without Weir. Kasper joined the red-and-blues in 2022 and has since played 208 games for the club, scoring 2,571 points. This season, the defender averages 12.1 points and 3.1 assists per game. He remains just as effective with his strengths: three-point shooting, lightning-fast drives to the basket, and confidence in clutch moments. On defense, Weir gives maximum effort. Despite his modest height, he wears down opponents with relentless pressure, and thanks to his exceptional speed, he navigates screens brilliantly, preventing constant switches.
Weir is currently a top-tier complement to Melo Trimble, and their pairing is undoubtedly one of the strongest in the league. Kasper fully understands CSKA’s system and provides significant value on both ends of the floor. His place in the history of both the army club and the VTB United League is worth noting: the American can confidently be described as one of CSKA’s best foreign players, and indeed one of the best in the entire tournament. Weir has every chance of becoming the second foreigner in league history, after Jalen Reynolds, to reach the 3,000-point milestone.
The defender himself admitted he is delighted to continue his career with CSKA, expressing his love for the club and Moscow, as well as his enjoyment of working with teammates and the coaching staff. In his comments on the new deal, Kasper was brief but highlighted the key point: his determination to keep winning alongside the red-and-blues.
CSKA head coach Andreas Pistiolis also commented on extending the contract with the team leader: “I’m glad to keep Kasper in the squad. He has been an integral part of our successes over the past few years—his work ethic and competitive spirit have not only helped us win games but also instilled a winning mentality in those around him. Our cooperation has been flawless, and I’m confident it will continue to be so, ensuring the team’s smooth and stable performance in the coming seasons.”
In the current CSKA roster, Kasper ranks second in scoring and assists per game (behind Trimble) and third in efficiency rating (behind the same Melo and Livio Jean-Charles). Recently, the army club extended contracts with three Russian players—Nikita Kurbanov, Semyon Antonov, and Anton Astapkovich. Against this backdrop, the new agreement with Weir looks like another logical step. Ahead lies a semifinal showdown with Lokomotiv-Kuban in the VTB United League playoffs. If successful this season, CSKA could win the championship for the third consecutive time, and the title would be the 13th in the club’s trophy cabinet. Regardless of the outcome, the red-and-blue management has shown that it counts on its leaders going forward, no matter what happens.
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