[6] After participating in the Reebok Eurocamp in Treviso, he signed a 4-year contract with French side Hyères-Toulon Var Basket in June of the same year.
[8] In September 2010 the Kazakhstani moved to Serbian side FMP Belgrade following the expiry of his Tigers contract, reportedly signing a multi-year deal.
[1][10] He then joined second division Russian Basketball Super League side Spartak Primorje in early 2011, first on trial then on a permanent contract in February.
[12] Whilst in Russia, he was contacted by Valeri Tikhonenko, the general manager of newly formed BC Astana to ask him to join the club and play in the VTB United League, an offer he accepted.
[19] Ponomarev originally practiced kickboxing, with no interest in basketball until he was 10 years old and attended a training session with a friend, at first he only played as a hobby before taking the game more seriously later.