Potential future Kings forward Sasha Vezenkov named EuroLeague MVP

May 18, 2023, 7:37 AM | Updated: 7:41 am

KAUNAS, LITHUANIA - MAY 18: Sasha Vezenkov of Olympiacos Piraeus receives MVP of the 2022-23 Turkis...

(Photo by Tolga Adanali/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings Beat Writer

The legend of Sasha Vezenkov continues to grow by the day.

Vezenkov has been named EuroLeague Most Valuable Player, adding to a list of accolades that include an All-First Team EuroLeague nod and the Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy.

Recent whispers from around the professional basketball landscape have suggested that the 6’9 forward is gearing up for a move to the NBA–more specifically, to the Sacramento Kings–for the 2023-24 season.

Before Veznekov decides on his future, the MVP will continue his push for a EuroLeague title on Friday morning when Olympiacos faces AS Monaco in the semifinals.

Your 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮-𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗠𝗩𝗣 𝗦𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗩𝗲𝘇𝗲𝗻𝗸𝗼𝘃! 🏆

He looks to bring home one more piece of hardware before the weekend is over 👀

Take a look at how Vezenkov earned the award this season👇#F4GLORY pic.twitter.com/pXTlOtwmsy

— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) May 18, 2023

Over 37 appearances in the EuroLeague this season, Vezenkov averaged 17.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 65 percent on two-point field goals and 39 percent from beyond the three-point arc.

Vezenkov’s club Olympiacos is two wins away from securing its first EuroLeague title since the 2012-13 season.

The Kings hold the 27-year-old’s NBA rights thanks to a draft day deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers last June, and there have been multiple reports that Vezenkov is inching closer to making a commitment to Sacramento.

Reigning NBA Head Coach of the Year winner Mike Brown and several other members of the Kings’ front office were in attendance for Vezenkov’s 17-point showing in Olympiacos’ win-or-go-home Game 5 against Fenerbahçe during the semifinals in Greece last week.

Vezenkov remains focused on advancing through Friday’s Final Four game against AS Monaco, but the MVP shared some thoughts on Sacramento during Wednesday’s media availability.

Sasha was not able to hold all his awards at the same time today 😅@Olympiacos_BC pic.twitter.com/YPPYwrnzYj

— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) May 18, 2023

“They are a very good team, and they had an impressive regular season,” Vezenkov said of Sacramento in an interview with Cosmote TV.

“On the other hand, in the playoffs, they did their best, but they were facing a superstar like Steph Curry. The competition in the NBA is really hard. There are so many superstars, and ultimately only one gets the rings. However, the Kings had a great season.”

Over the weekend, NBA Insider Marc Stein reported that a EuroLeague source indicated a Vezenkov-Kings deal was “trending toward inevitable.”

As Kings fans await a decision on Vezenkov’s future, be sure to stay locked in to Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Sacramento Kings coverage, including a recap of Olympiacos’ Final Four game against AS Monaco on Friday morning (8:00 AM PST).

Some notable former EuroLeague MVPs: Luka Doncic, Nemanja Bjelica, Nikola Mirotic, Andrei Kirilenko.

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