Anchorage Daily News

The last month has been perfect for Anchorage basketball star Trajan Langdon.

First he became a father for the first time. Then he helped his Russian professional team win the Euroleague championship for the second time in three years.

Langdon poured in 21 points to lead CSKA Moscow past Israeli power Maccabi Tel Aviv 91-77 in Sunday's championship game in Madrid. The former East High and Duke University standout added seven rebounds, two steals and 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point range to earn Euroleague Final Four Most Valuable Player honors.

"I have won awards, but this is a great feeling," Langdon told the tournament's Web site. "Winning the Euroleague title means more than anything else in my sports life."

It was the third straight season CSKA Moscow advanced to the European championship game. CSKA, which fell to Panathanaikos of Greece in the final last year, beat the Israeli champions 73-69 two years ago.

Maccabi, which overcame an 18-point, second-half deficit against Montepaschi Siena to reach the final, couldn't engineer another comeback to give coach Tzvika Sherf his first trophy. Montepaschi Siena needed overtime to beat Spanish team Tau Ceramica 97-93 for third place earlier on Sunday.

Head coach Ettore Messina, who before the game announced he had signed up for another season in Moscow, won his fourth Euroleague title, moving into a tie for second place all-time.

Langdon, a 6-foot-4 guard, was the first Alaskan to play in the NBA. He played three seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers before taking his game to the Euroleague. He's enjoyed nothing but success there, winning national titles in Italy, Turkey and Russia and claiming a pair of European championships with CSKA Moscow.

Langdon and his wife, Mariana Muiruri, live in Virginia, but he still has roots in his hometown. He comes back every summer to visit his parents, Steve and Gladys, and he owns an urban clothing store, Lace 'em Up, in the Northway Mall.

The 31-year-old Langdon got off to a great start Sunday, canning his first three long-range 3-pointers to give CSKA Moscow a 33-29 cushion. Langdon was 4 for 4 from 3-point range in the first half. The Russian team pulled away for good in the second half thanks to its defense and a 10-0 run to open the fourth quarter.

"We have all worked hard all season," Langdon said. "The most important thing is that the team won. It wouldn't matter if I scored four points or 20. We have worked so hard all season long, and to top it off with this win is unbelievable."

Former Georgia Tech star Will Bynum led Maccabi with 23 points.

Find assistant sports editor Van Williams online at adn.com/contact/vwilliams or call 257-4335.

TITLE DAD: Anchorage's Trajan Langdon talks about winning a championship and becoming a father.

www.euroleague.net

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