Sasha Vezenkov: 'The NBA can wait' / News - Basketnews.com

Sasha Vezenkov is focused on his journey with Olympiacos: "The NBA can and will wait."

Credit: Olympiacos BC Credit Olympiacos BC

Sasha Vezenkovhas been playing MVP-level basketball since the 2022-23 EuroLeague season started.

3-pointers this season

38%9,1Points made:9,1Accuracy:37,6%Place in standings:8Record max:14Record min:6Most made 3FGs:Aleksandr VezenkovTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

So far this campaign, he has been averaging outstanding numbers in the EuroLeague: 20.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.1 steals for 28.2 PIR.

No question he is attracting interest from the other side of the Atlantic. However, Vezenkov says he is only focused on continuing his mission at Olympiacos Piraeus.

"The NBA can and will wait. Our goal is Olympiacos. Let's maintain the family atmosphere and win even more titles," the Bulgarian forward told Open Sport, per Gazzetta.gr.

The 27-year-old Vezenkov drew attention from the Sacramento Kings this past off-season but decided to stay in Europe for his fifth season with Olympiacos.

Vezenkov already had a stellar season with the Reds last year. Oly won the domestic league in Greece and made a long-awaited comeback to the Final Four in the EuroLeague, meanwhile, Vezenkov made All-EuroLeague First team.

He says EuroLeague remains a very challenging competition.

"Anadolu Efes is always an opponent to be reckoned with, I think their goal is simply to enter the EuroLeague playoffs. Then they have the confidence and talent to win it all.

Real and Armani made strong additions in the summer of 2022. Barcelona will definitely be there. Fenerbahce, which was left behind last year, undoubtedly wants to come back. EuroLeague is very competitive and you should be ready for all the games," Olympiacos leader spoke.

Vezenkov also recalled the most memorable EuroLeague match of the last season: "Semifinal against Efes was a game we would like to play again and win."

"We were so close, but you also have to go through the hard times, the defeats, fall down, and get back up. Though, I wouldn't change anything about last season," he said.

"I wouldn't leave bad games behind, because we learn from them. Some bad games we had as a team made me stronger," Vezenkov added.

Anadolu Efes advanced to their back-to-back EuroLeague final by defeating Olympiacos in a tough semi-final fight at Stark Arena with more than 10,000 fans from Piraeus. The final possession belonged to last season's Final Four MVP Vasilije Micic who sank a last-second 3-pointer over Vezenkov.

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