Career: Avtodor Saratov (Russia-Superleague, 2000-02), CSKA Moscow (Russia-Superleague, 2002-05), Portland Trailblazers (USA-NBA, 2005-06), Fort Worth Flyers (USA-D-League, 2006), Sacramento Kings (USA-NBA, 2006), Dynamo Moscow (Russia-Superleague, 2006-07). Selected in the first round of the 2004 NBA draft (#23) by the Portland Trailblazers
In 2005 an explosive, athletic wing with great leaping ability and nice spot-up shooting left his mother country for the NBA. Sergey Monya had the reputation of being a bit of an underachiever, but undoubtedly the most promising Russian player in the Superleague. A few days before signing with the Portland Trailblazers, Monya gave a scandalous interview to Sport-Express newspaper entitled “I can’t understand why Ivkovic kept me on the bench”. In the interview, he criticized his mentor’s coaching methods. Failing to make it in the NBA, Monya came back to Russia. His passiveness and tendency to disappear on the floor has nothing in common with coaches and EuroBasket 2007 will be the time for Monya to wake up.
