Daniel Kirakosyan spoke to Basketball Sphere about his historic performance and shared several interesting details from his career.
When a player scores 30 or 40 points, it is a night to remember. When he reaches 50, he enters a different category. But what Daniel Kirakosyan recently produced in the Armenian championship goes beyond the usual standards of individual dominance.
With 84 points, along with 14 rebounds and 10 assists, Kirakosyan wrote his name into the history books of the Armenian A-League, setting a new competition record and delivering one of the most efficient individual performances seen in European club basketball in recent years. His remarkable shooting efficiency, control of tempo, and ability to function both as a scorer and primary creator turned the game into a personal offensive showcase.
Numbers like these are rarely seen at any level — especially in a professional league. That is why it was impossible to begin our conversation with Kirakosyan without first revisiting the night that brought him a record, wider basketball attention, and potentially a defining moment in his career.
Claim Now History was made
,,I’m really happy with my performance in that game. It was great to have the opportunity to showcase my abilities, and I’m thrilled that so many people were able to see it and that it received recognition.
It motivated me even more to keep improving and show what I’m capable of. What made me happiest about that game was recording a triple-double” – Daniel Kirakosyan said.
Overall, how satisfied are you with your individual performances this season, and how do you evaluate the team’s performance so far?
,,In the first half of the season in Russia, I didn’t get much playing time, so I missed out on a lot of opportunities. In the second half, I moved to Armenia to play for Urartu. I was on loan for three games with BKMA, and we won two out of three. Since returning to Urartu, I’ve already played two games, and we’ve won both.
Just a few days ago, we beat a team that had the same record as us, which helped us move into the number one spot in the standings. It’s been a great experience, and I’m happy that I’ve been able to contribute.”
Early Days…
We spoke with Daniel Kirakosyan about the early stages of his career, the moment he fell in love with basketball, and what it was like working under Evgeniy Gorbunov at Trinta.
,,I started playing basketball when I was 11, mostly just for fun, a few times a week. At first, it wasn’t serious, but over time I realized I was naturally better than my friends, so at 13, I decided to join my local sports school, Trinta. Honestly, I wasn’t initially interested in basketball, I actually wanted to play soccer — but I quickly fell in love with the game.
At Trinta, my coach was Evgeniy Gorbunov. He taught me almost everything about the fundamentals, and a lot of what I know today comes from him. He was a huge influence on my development. When I was in Russia, I could rely on his guidance — he trusted me, let me play, but was also strict and held me accountable. I’m really grateful for the time I spent with him and the foundation he gave me.”
USA
Daniel Kirakosyan also gained playing experience in the United States at the high school level.
,,Moving to the USA was a pivotal moment in my life, not just for basketball, but personally as well. I had to adapt quickly — learning a new language, living on my own, and adjusting to a completely different culture and new people. That experience really shaped me and helped me grow as a person.
On the basketball side, it was challenging at first because the style of play and the high school rules were very different from what I was used to. But over time, I adapted and learned a lot, especially about one-on-one play, which improved my overall game.”
Extensive experience
How much does being part of the Armenian national team mean to you, and what has it been like working with coach Bogdan Karaicic?
,,It means a lot to me to represent Armenia and play for my home country. I’ve always dreamed of being part of the national team, so this is really special.
I think Bogdan Karaicic is a great coach. Although I’ve only played three games for him and haven’t had much time to practice with him, I’ve learned something new every time he coaches. I really appreciate how straightforward he is and how he holds me accountable — it’s helping me grow as a player.”
How much life and basketball experience has your incredible journey from Russia – USA – Armenia brought you so far?
,,There have been so many incredible experiences in my journey. Everywhere I’ve been, I’ve tried to grow and improve — not just as a basketball player, but also as a person. I’ve faced and seen so much that has taught me valuable lessons, and I really appreciate how this journey has helped me become a well-rounded individual.
One of my favorite parts of this experience is meeting so many amazing people and making friends whom I’m still in contact with today.”
Bogdan Karaicic said goodbye to Partizan in a short message for Basketball Sphere 🥹⚫⚪ pic.twitter.com/oWTTwCUv8J
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) July 24, 2025
Role Models and Goals
When asked who his basketball role model is, Daniel Kirakosyan responded without hesitation:
,,Stephen Curry!”
What are your goals with the Armenian national team?
,,Right now, our immediate goal is to win the next two games against Bulgaria and Norway. In the long term, we want to establish Armenia as a strong basketball nation and compete at the highest levels, such as EuroBasket or the World Cup. We still have a long way to go, but I truly believe it’s possible because basketball is growing rapidly in Armenia, and the potential is there.”
Looking ahead, what are your plans and ambitions for the next stages of your career?
,,I’m very motivated and focused on playing Division I NCAA basketball next season. Ultimately, my goal is to compete at the highest levels, such as the EuroLeague or the NBA. I’m committed to working hard and doing everything I can to reach that level.”
