By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Olympiacos leading star Sasha Vezenkov committed to the Reds until the end of the 2024-25 season.
Vezenkov, 27, inked a contract extension, the team announced Monday. Compared to the previous contract expiring in 2024, one additional year was added.
Per Eurohoops sources, the new contract not only puts Vezenkov’s net salary from this season in the 1,5M euros range annually from 900.000 euros, but also includes an NBA buyout of over one million euros.
In 2017, during his stint at FC Barcelona, the Brooklyn Nets selected him with the 57th overall pick in the NBA draft. His rights were traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2021 and then to the Sacramento Kings last June. The latter franchise displayed interest in acquiring him in the offseason but he opted to stay at Olympiacos. And midway through the 2022-23 campaign, he inked a new contract.
Missing the most recent showing in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season with a minor injury, a dominating display downing archrival Panathinaikos, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in the previous 15 contests of Europe’s top-tier club continental competition. Building up a PIR of 25.3, he currently leads the league enjoying a relatively healthy distance from the remaining standouts of the season.
A 10-6 run is one win shy from the top of the EuroLeague standings, while a 10-0 start dominates Greece’s Basket League. Vezenkov has chipped in 17.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per contest over nine appearances.
The Bulgaria senior national team member, a holder of triple citizenship between Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Greece, was landed by Olympiacos in 2018, following his exit from Barca. Reuniting with Giorgos Bartzokas, coach of the Catalonia giant in 2016-17, generously improved his fortunes since 2020.