Presentation of the Astana Zhastar Coaching Staff

We’re pleased to introduce the coaching staff of Astana Zhastar, the team making its debut this season in the VTB Youth United League.

Head Coach — Yakov Fokin

Yakov Fokin is an experienced coach with over a decade in the profession. In recent years, he has worked in Kazakhstan, where he earned a reputation as an ambitious mentor. In the 2024/25 season, Fokin led Almaty Legion to fourth place in the Kazakhstan Championship. Earlier, he successfully coached BC Uralmash in Russia, winning bronze in the Superleague 2 in 2018. Another highlight of his career was guiding the Sverdlovsk Region U20 team to silver at the 2014 Russian Youth Spartakiad.

Assistant Coach — Mikhail Lonshakov

Mikhail Lonshakov is already well known to Astana fans. He’s very much part of the club’s family, having proved both his dedication and his expertise. As head coach of the Astana Academy youth squad (2022–2024), Lonshakov helped develop a number of players who have since stepped up to the professional level. In the 2024/25 season, he joined the main Astana coaching staff as head coach of the team competing in the National League and helped lead the club to a championship title.

This VTB Youth United League season promises to be an exciting new chapter in the club’s history. Stay with us, support Astana Zhastar, and be part of this new basketball story!