By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Sacramento Kings bring up the next challenge for Sasha Vezenkov. He talked about the following step in an introductory press conference held by his new team in the Golden 1 Center practice facility on Thursday.
From being named MVP of the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, he moved directly to the NBA. Slovenian sensation Luka Doncic was the last player following that specific path, in 2018.
“It’s a totally different game. I understand that,” Vezenkov compared Europe’s premier club continental competition to the league based in North America, “The coaching staff and the players will help me adjust as fast as possible to this new game. On the other hand, it is basketball. It is five-on-five, for sure here there is more athleticism. I can fit in this team and I can help this team, that is why I am here.”
The Kings newcomer inked a three-year, 20 million dollar contract last July.
“The NBA was a dream for me”
Vezenkov, 28, spent the last five years at Greek powerhouse Olympiacos. Previous teams stretch from FC Barcelona to Aris. Constantly improving his game led all the way to the NBA, six years after being selected with the 57th overall pick of the 2017 draft by the Brooklyn Nets.
“I’m really happy, really excited,” he said, “It was a big decision for my career and I’m really happy to do it for Sacramento. I’m really thankful to the whole organization because they showed me their commitment, how much they are interested and want me to be here.”
His NBA rights were traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2021 and from there to the Kings in 2022.
“The NBA was like a goal, a dream for me,” he touched on actually completing the jump to the league, “Every kid who plays in Europe wants to come to the NBA.”
“I don’t like to talk a lot,” added Vezenkov, “I am really happy that we are a winning team. Everybody saw what Sacramento did last year. So, I am here to help with my experience, with whatever coach needs from me for this team to continue to win games and perform better and better.”
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