Euroleague Basketball has announced that the 2012 Eurocup Finals will take place in Russia for the first time ever, as Khimki will host the event on April 14 and 15, 2012.

The newest Eurocup champion will be crowned at the 5,000-seat Basketball Center of Moscow Region, the homecourt of Eurocup powerhouse BC Khimki.

The two-day, four-team tournament will feature semifinals on Saturday, April 14 leading to the next day's title game.

Chase Budinger is close to a deal with Lokomotiv Kuban of Russia, according to his agent Kevin Bradbury.

"The deal is not done yet for Chase, but I think we're pretty close," Bradbury said. "It would be a wonderful opportunity for him to get to play competitive basketball while the NBA is locked out. We're going to be very aggressive to find our guys places to play during the lockout."

Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins, who remain close friends, have had their representatives inquiring about the possibility of playing together again overseas, according to sources.

Rondo and Perkins are interested in a deal in a higher-playing league, such as Italy, Spain and Russia.

There is no deal currently in the works and the need for high-cost insurance makes the economics difficult.

Andrei Kirilenko has been named Euroleague MVP for Week 5 of the regular season.

Kirilenko has 17 points on just three shots from the floor, shooting 12-for-13 from the free throw line. Kirilenko had nine rebounds, six steals and two assists in CSKA's 77-66 win.

Kirilenko also won the award in Week 1.

Barcelona Regal improved to 3-0 with a very convincing 93-65 win over UNICS Kazan.

Barcelona shot an eFG% of 64.5%, with Erazem Lorbek scoring 24 points on 13 shots from the floor and no free throws. Juan Carlos Navarro had 19 points. Marcelinho Huertas had 10 points and eight assists.