Sasha Vezenkov

Sasha Vezenkov's Biography

Born on August 6, 1995 in Nicosia, Cyprus to Bulgarian parents, Aleksandar Vezenkov, also known as Sasha, is a professional basketball player currently associated with the Olympiacos club of Greece. Standing 2.03 meters tall, Vezenkov claims an identity as a stretch power forward.

Acclaimed in European youth basketball, Vezenkov embarked on his basketball journey in 2005 with the youth teams at APOEL Nicosia in Cyprus. At 14, he relocated to Greece, honing his skills with the youth teams of Aris in Thessaloniki. His stay in Greece extended into his early professional career, as he rejected an offer to play for Xavier University in the US to stick with his roots at Aris.

Vezenkov’s exploits in the Greek Basket League began in 2011, but the 2012-13 season marked his rise to prominence. Having made 21 appearances and averaged 3.9 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, he was declared the Greek League Best Young Player in 2013.

Fast-forward to the 2014-15 Greek Basket League season, Vezenkov had a league-leading performance with 469 total points and 201 total rebounds. For the season, he averaged 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, earning him the titles of the league’s MVP, Most Improved Player, and Best Young Player.

In 2015, Vezenkov signed a four-year deal worth €2 million with the Spanish club FC Barcelona. The Spanish club also paid a €315,000 buyout fee to Vezenkov’s previous club, Aris. One year later, Vezenkov declared for the 2016 NBA draft, which he ultimately withdrew from.

After a Spanish Supercup title victory and an All-Young Players Team nomination in Spain, Vezenkov returned to Greece in 2018, signing a two-year contract with Olympiacos, followed by another two-year extension in 2020.

In the 2021-22 EuroLeague season, Vezenkov earned his place as a regular starter at Olympiacos, leading the club to its first title in six years. With a scoring average of 13.7 points, Vezenkov played a key role in Olympiacos finishing second in the regular season. His sublime performance spanned into the 2022-23 season, bagging both the EuroLeague MVP and the Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy.

Not limiting his accomplishments to European courts, Vezenkov also had his shot at the NBA, being picked by the Brooklyn Nets in the 57th overall selection of the 2017 NBA draft. His draft rights were subsequently traded to Cleveland Cavaliers in 2021 and then to Sacramento Kings in 2022.

Although Vezenkov signed a three-year contract with the Kings, he never made his NBA debut, as he was traded to the Toronto Raptors on 28 June 2024. Shortly after being waived by the Raptors, Vezenkov made his journey back to Olympiacos in 2024.

Away from the club, Vezenkov represented Bulgaria in several FIBA tournaments, leading the national team in scoring at the FIBA Europe Under-16, Under-18, and Under-20 Championships. He also represented the Bulgarians in the EuroBasket 2017 and EuroBasket 2022 qualifications.

Born Aleksandar Vezenkov, the player is also known as Alexander Vezenkof following his acquisition of Greek citizenship on 30 December 2015. Fluent in both Greek and Bulgarian languages, Vezenkov marks his connection to Hellenic culture through his relationship with Greek waterpolo player Nikoleta Eleftheriadou.

Among his notable achievements, Vezenkov won the Bulgarian Sportsperson of the Year award in 2022, becoming the second basketball player to receive the honor after Vanya Voynova in 1958.

Basketball runs in Vezenkov’s blood, with his father Sashko Vezenkov being a former international player and coach in Bulgaria and Cyprus, and his older sister, Michaela Vezenkova, is a former player in the Cypriot women’s league and a member of the Cypriot women’s national team.

After a career spanning over a decade, Vezenkov remains one of the Europe’s most decorated and celebrated basketball talents. From his humble beginnings in Cyprus to the bright lights of the Greek Basket League, Vezenkov’s journey serves as a testament to determination, resilience, and exceptional athletic prowess.