Tsvetomir Chernokozhev (; born 1 June 2000) is a Bulgarian professional basketball player of Cherno More Ticha in National Basketball League.
Club career
Lukoil Academic Tsvetomir Chernokozhev started his club career at Lukoil Academic. On 19 October 2016 Chernokozhev made his debut for the men's team against Academic Bultex 99 in a 104–66 win playing 4 minutes. Until the end of the 2016–17 season Chernokozhev played only 3 games more. Chernokozhev won the NBL with Lukoil Academic. On 11 June 2017 Chernokozhev went on a week trials for Greek giant Aris but he didn't join and remained to play for Academic. Chernokozhev played more regularly in the 2017–18 season playing 19 matches averaging 22.7 minutes scoring 8.3 points making 4.9 rebounds giving out 0.6 assists. Chernokozhev renewed his contract to stay for the new 2018–19 season. On 25 February 2019 Chernokozhev won the award 'best young Bulgarian basketball player'. In the 2018–19 season had his best season playing 29 games averaging 29.6 minutes scoring 14.1 points giving out 1.6 assists and making 6.8 rebounds. In his last 2019–20 season which was Academic Sofia's last season in existence Chernokozhev played 22 games averaging 28.7 minutes scoring 13.6 points making 6.1 rebounds giving 1.9 assists.
Levicki Patrioti On 3 August 2020 Tsvetomir Chernokozhev signed for Slovakian club Levicki Patrioti. On 27 September 2020 Chernokozhev made his debut against Prievidza in a 79–46 win. Despite winning the regular season Levicki Patrioti they finished second losing 3–1 in the final against Spišskí Rytieri.
Levski Lukoil On 27 August 2021 Tsvetomir Chernokozhev returned to Bulgaria signing a year contract for the champion Levski Lukoil. On 4 October 2021 Chernokozhev made his debut in a 91–85 loss in the Super Cup final against Rilski Sportist. On 24 March 2022 Chernokozhev with Levski also lost the Bulgarian Cup against Rilski Sportist again losing 92–86. Levski Sofia finished third in the league playoffs after beating Spartak Pleven 2–1. In the 2021–22 season Chernokozhev played 50 games averaging 25.2 minutes scoring 9.3 points making 5.9 rebounds and giving 1.6 assists.
Spartak Pleven On 18 July 2022 Tsvetomir Chernkozhev signed for Spartak Pleven. On 10 October 2022 Chernokozhev made his debut against CSKA in a 65–91 win playing 17 minutes. In the 2022–23 season Chernokozhev played 33 matches averaging 24.3 minutes 11 points 6 rebounds and 1.2 assists. On 17 July 2023 Chernokozhev renewed his contract for the 2023–24 season playing for one more year. In the 2023–24 season Chernokozhev played 41 matches averaging 25 minutes 9.1 points 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
Cherno More Ticha On 20 August 2024 Tsvetomir Chernokozhev signed for Cherno More Ticha. Chernokozhev made his debut against Balkan Botevgrad in a 75–80 loss playing 21 minutes. On 16 March 2025 with Cherno More Chernokozhev won the Bulgarian Cup in a 89–81 win against Balkan Botevgrad. On 31 May 2025 Cherno More lost the NBL playoffs final against Rilski Sportist losing 3–1 on aggregate. In the 2024–25 season Chernokozhev played 36 mathces averaging 21 minutes 9.1 points 4.9 rebounds 1.1 assists. On 4 September 2025 Chernokozhev renewed his contract for the 2025–26 season to play for one more year. On 28 September 2025 Chernokozhev with Cherno More Ticha won the Super Cup against Rilski Sportist winning 66–84.
International career
Bulgaria U16 Tsvetomir Chernokozhev played in the 2015 and 2016 Eurobasket U16 Division B.
Bulgaria U18 Tsvetomir Chernokozhev played in the 2017 and 2018 Eurobasket U18 Division B. In 2018 Chernokozhev was the top scorer of the EuroBasket.
Bulgaria U20 Tsvetomir Chernokozhev played in the 2019 Eurobasket U20 Division B.
Bulgaria On 5 November 2018 Tsvetomir Chernokozhev was called up for the first time for the Bulgaria national team. On 3 December 2018 Chernokozhev made his debut in a 77–53 loss against France in a qualifier game for the 2019 World Cup. On 9 November 2020 Chernokozhev was called up again for Bulgaria. On 29 November 2020 Chernokozhev played 11 minutes in a 78–84 loss against Greece. On 9 November 2022 Chernokozhev was called up for the last time. On 13 November 2022 Chernokozhev played his last game for tha national team in a 66–75 win against Cyprus.
Personal life Tsvetomir Chernokozhev's older brother is Velizar Chernokozhev he is a professional volleyball player for Beroe Stara Zagora.
References