Hristo Nikolov (basketball)

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. He last played for Chernomoret of the NBL.

Hristo Nikolov
Personal information
Born (1985-10-02) 2 October 1985
Burgas, Bulgaria
NationalityBulgarian
Listed height2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)
Listed weight108 kg (238 lb)
Career information
CollegeCasper College (2004–2006)
NBA draft2007 / Undrafted
Playing career2002–present
PositionForward
Career history
2002–2008CSKA Sofia
2008–2010Lukoil Academic
2010–2011Steaua București
2011–2012Szolnoki Olaj
2012–2013U BT Cluj-Napoca
2013–2014Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez
2014–2015Union Olimpija
2015Levski Sofia
2015–2017Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski
2017–2018Lukoil Academic
2018Levski Lukoil
2018–2019Chernomorets
Career highlights and awards

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 (1.98 m) tall 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 happened with PBC CSKA Sofia, after he got accepted at the age of 16. Despite his young age, at the time he participated in the Bulgarian’s edition of the basketball AllStar game, became a cup holder in the National Basketball League and ended the season in 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 won a scholarship and left Bulgaria to participate in a basketball program, provided by Casper College in Casper, Wyoming, United States. There he got introduced to the American basketball traditions. Nikolov was among the team leaders, where he averaged 19.00 ppg.[1][2]

PBC CSKA Sofia (Jan 2006 – Jun 2008), Bulgaria

Once his scholarship program was over, Hristo Nikolov returned to Bulgaria and immediately signed with his old club – CSKA Sofia. He participated in the AllStar game and quickly established himself a reputation as a hard-working and skilled player. He showed leadership qualities and was often among the playmakers in the team. Nikolov averaged 14 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 45 Bulgarian League contests.[3]

Lukoil Academic (Aug 2008 – Jan 2010), Bulgaria

Once proving his ability to learn fast and his tenacious and hard working nature, Nikolov was spotted by another basketball club in the local league – PBC Lukoil Academic. Glarusa becomes the first new player ahead of the upcoming season and was quoted to be a competitor with a great potential. He became a two-time champion of Bulgaria. Nikolov also participated in the AllStar game and the Eurocup.[4][5]

Steaua București (Aug 2010 – Jun 2011), Romania

After his two-year contract with Lukoil Academic had expired, Hristo Nikolov signed with the 21 championships winner Steaua București and immediately became a leader on the court. With his help the club reached the Romanian cup finals and finished in 3rd place in the Championship. Nikolov participated in the Eurochallenge contest.[6][7]

Szolnoki Olaj KK (Aug 2011 – May 2013), Hungary

Nikolov’s great season at Steaua Bucuresti brought him to the attention of the Hungarian basketball experts and shortly after the annual break, Hristo signed with 5-time Hungarian Championship and 5-time Hungarian Cup holder Szolnoki Olaj KK. With Szolnoki Nikolov won the Super Cup, reached the final four of the EuroChallenge contest in Debrecen, participated in the local AllStar game and held the MVP title of the Championship.[8]

National Team of Bulgaria (Jul 2012 – Sept 2012), Eurobasket

The past few seasons brought 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 was under the coaching of Rosen Barchovski and assistant coaches Ivan Cholakov and Ludmil Hadjisotirov. The team reached the qualifications round, but did not go further.[9][10]

"U" MOBITELCO (Aug 2012 – May 2013), Romania

After becoming champion with his Hungarian team, Hristo got transferred back in Romania, but this time as a player of “U” MOBITELCO. The Romanian team reached finals of the Romanian cup tournament. Nikolov participated 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 got noticed by the French Pro A League experts. In August 2013 he signed 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 10 December 2015. Nikolov is currently among the starting five, playing the position of a power forward. The team competes in the Polish Basketball League.[14]

On 13 May 2016, Nikolov signed a one-year contract extension with Stal Ostrów.[15]

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 to the professional basketball club CSKA – Sofia where his professional career in basketball began. He 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. He currently owns a website on Bulgarian basketball(http://bball.bg).[16]

References
  1. Casper College, "Casper College Thunderbirds Basketball - Season Box Score" Archived 18 January 2015 at the Wayback Machine, 2006
  2. BGBasket, "Hristo Nikolov returns from the States". 7 December 2005.
  3. Alexander Sotirov, "Glarusa saved CSKA". 16 March 2008.
  4. ULEBcup.com, "Lukoil Academic gets forward Hristo Nikolov", 2008-06-16
  5. DarikNews, "Glarusa signs with Lukoil for 2 years"., 2008-05-21
  6. Cornelius Ilin, "Păltinişanu and Nikolov - the most efficient players in the game", 2011-02-27
  7. 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
  8. Roxana Prichichi, "Nikolov – Second Maker of the Hungarians" Archived 18 January 2015 at the Wayback Machine, 2011-09-09
  9. EuroBasket 2013, "Bulgaria Ease Past Luxemburg", 2012-08-24
  10. EuroBasket2013, "A Day of Reckoning", 2012-09-11
  11. Luminita Turcu, Adina Osan "All Star Game: South-North, score 114-114., 2013-03-19
  12. E. Carchia, "Pau-Orthez signs Hristo Nikolov"
  13. Eurocupbasketball.com, "Union Olimpija signs forward Nikolov", 2014-08-18
  14. Sportowefakty.wp.pl, "Były kapitan Bułgarii, Hristo Nikolov w BM Slam Stal!", 2015-12-11
  15. Hristo Nikolov signs one-year extension with BM Slam Stal Ostrow
  16. Hristo Nikolov - Glarusa, "The beauty of basketball". 20 October 2014.
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