Nielsen made his debut at school24 october 2011

Photographer: Eugeny Solodov

Within the bounds of social program "From small to great" BC Khimki continues to visit educational institutions of Khimki City. This time five basketball players of our team — Matt Nielsen, Egor Vyaltsev, Anton Pushkov, Vladimir Pichkurov and Benjamin Dudu — and a coach Oleg Rezvy paid a visit to school 3.

BC Khimki players agreed to participate in masterclass with pleasure. School's staff prepared for the guests thoroughly: after tea-drinking and stories about supporting our club all the guys went to the gym.

Schoolchildren were excited and rised all the players in applause. After that Ben Dudu hold a quick warm-up and a real basketball game started: Matt Nielsen and Egor Vyaltsev team vs. Anton Pushkov, Vladimir Pichkurov and Benjamin Dudu team. Final score — 17-17.

With the masterclass completed, all the players presented memorable gifts to children — new balls and souvenirs. At the end autograph — and photosessions started. Guys and teaching staff thanked our players and invited to the meeting again.

I think I've made a good debut in Russia, – Matt Nielsen points out. – I could hardly imagine that my first game would be at school. Seriously, it was great to participate. It's a good tradition to involve the current players to the process of teaching youth. Today all the children worked perfect. I'm dead sure all of them are happy. To my mind it's very necessary to hold such masterclasses — so we show our unindifference. If I have a chance in future, for sure, I will do it again.

- For me it was pleasant to be engrossed in this atmosphere, – Egor Vyaltsev says. – I remember my own experience, but unfortunately famous players didn't visited my school. It's very important for guys — they get experience, enlarge their knowledge and achieve new goals. I'm glad BC Khimki has such a good social policy.