Sasha Vezenkov looks back on NBA rookie year: 'It was a weird season' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AP - Scanpix Credit AP - Scanpix

After becoming the EuroLeague MVP, Sasha Vezenkov made his debut in the NBA. The Bulgarian forward has now evaluated his choice following a play-in exit with the Sacramento Kings.

Sacramento Kings / Schedule

Sacramento Kings Golden State Warriors118-94 New Orleans Pelicans Sacramento Kings105-98

"Overall, I can say it was a weird season. Ups and downs. New game, new life. A couple of injuries, you know. I tried to adjust as fast as possible. Unfortunately, we finished too early. Everybody wanted to continue and go deep into the playoffs. We have to learn from that. It was a new experience and I wanted to become better every day. Unfortunately, those two injuries held me back. That situation was a little bit difficult and different," Vezenkov said in the end-of-season press conference.

Asked what surprised him the most during the first year in the NBA, Vezenkov admitted - the talent level on the other side of the Atlantic is entirely different compared to Europe.

"First of all, the talent the players have here, it's insane. You can see it from [the] TV but live, it's something else. Other than that, the pace of the game, how fast the transition [is], everything. I need to improve everything," he said. "The only good part is that the offseason is long, so everybody has plenty of time to work and become better."

"I don't know yet but I won't lie to you - I miss home. I'll go home first and then we'll see," Vezenkov said about his offseason plans.

Vezenkov was injured for half the season and managed to play just 42 games in his debut year in the NBA, averaging 5.4 points and 2.3 rebounds on 44% shooting.

Evaluating his decision to finally come to the NBA at 28 years old, the Bulgarian says he doesn't regret it.

"I made the right choice, no doubt about it. If I doubt about other things, 100%, but not about the choice to come here," he said. "It was a great opportunity, [you] can't say no, it's the NBA. As I said, I doubt about other things but not about this."

"It's a difficult question because what I believe I could have and what I had are two different things," Vezenkov said about his role on the Kings. "If you ask me about the role I had this year, it's tough. You have to be ready. One game you play well, one game not. It's just like this. You have 10 minutes to go in, or maybe less, maybe five, to do your best. Some days you play well, some days it will not work, your impact of the game is not big enough. I'm a positive guy, I try to be positive for my teammates, for my team, work hard, and I think I did 100% of what was asked from me."

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