Sasha Vezenkov is a Bulgarian-Cypriot-Greek professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA), playing for the Toronto Raptors. He was selected by the Brooklyn Nets in the second round of the 2017 NBA draft. Vezenkov is a two-time All-EuroLeague First Team selection and was named the EuroLeague MVP in 2023.
Player Profile and Personal Life
Aleksandar “Sasha” Vezenkov was born on August 6, 1995, in Nicosia, Cyprus to Bulgarian parents. He holds triple citizenship for Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Greece.
Vezenkov stands 203 cm (6 ft 8 in) tall and weighs 102 kg (225 lbs). He plays as a right-handed stretch power forward.
| Team |
Toronto Raptors
|
| Position | Power Forward |
| Born | 6 Aug 1995 |
| Nationality |
Bulgaria
|
| Playing Style | Left Handed |
| Nickname | Aleks |
| Team History | |
|
Toronto
|
2024 - present |
Sacramento
|
2023 - 2024 |
| Olympiacos | 2019 - 2023 |
| FC Barcelona | 2015 - 2019 |
| Aris Thessaloniki | 2011 - 2015 |
Vezenkov is fluent in both Greek and Bulgarian. His father Sasho Vezenkov is a former professional basketball player and coach.
Early Career
Vezenkov began playing youth basketball in Cyprus with APOEL in 2005 before moving to Greece in 2009 to join Aris Thessaloniki’s youth teams. He made his professional debut with Aris in 2011 at age 16.
Professional Career
Vezenkov played four seasons with Aris from 2011 to 2015, emerging as one of Europe’s top young talents. In 2015, he signed with FC Barcelona, spending four years with the Spanish powerhouse and winning multiple domestic titles.
In 2019, Vezenkov joined Olympiacos. He was named to the All-EuroLeague First Team in 2022 and 2023, also winning the EuroLeague MVP award in 2023 after leading the league in scoring. Vezenkov helped Olympiacos reach the EuroLeague Final in 2022 and 2023.
He was drafted into the NBA in 2023 by the Brooklyn Nets. His draft rights were acquired by the Cleveland Cavaliers who then traded them to the Sacramento Kings. He signed a deal with the Kings in July 2023.
In June 2024, he was traded to the Toronto Raptors.
Career Highlights and Awards
- 2023 - EuroLeague MVP
- 2023 - Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy
- 2023 - EuroLeague Finals Top Scorer
- 2023 - EuroLeague Final Four Top Scorer
- 2022, 2023 - All-EuroLeague First Team
- 2015, 2016, 2017 - Catalan League champion
- 2018 - Spanish Cup winner
- 2015 - Spanish Supercup winner
- 2017 - All-Liga ACB Young Team
- 2022, 2023 - Greek League champion
- 2022, 2023 - Greek Cup winner
- 2022 - Greek Super Cup winner
- 2015, 2022, 2023 - Greek League MVP
- 2022 - Greek League Finals MVP
- 2015 - Greek League Top Scorer
- 2015, 2022, 2023 - All-Greek League First Team
- 2014 - All-Greek League Second Team
- 2022, 2023 - Greek League Most Popular Player
- 2015, 2022 - Greek League Most Improved Player
- 2013, 2014, 2015 - Greek League Best Young Player
- 2015 - Greek League rebounding leader
- 2023 - Greek Cup MVP
- 2022 - Greek All-Star MVP
- 2022 - Greek All-Star
- 2013, 2014 - Greek Youth All-Star Game
- 2011 - Panhellenic Youth Championship champion
- 2011 - Panhellenic Youth Championship MVP
- 2022, 2023 - Bulgarian Sportsperson of the Year
