By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Sasha Vezenkov downplayed discussions about suiting up for the senior national team of Cyprus and also responded to Ergin Ataman, the head coach of Panathinaikos Aktor, calling him a fake Greek following the conclusion of the Stoiximan GBL Playoffs.
“I love Cyprus. I was raised there, my family, my sister are in Cyprus, but playing for the national team was not a real thing, besides some sporadic talks,” he mentioned in an interview with Greek outlet Sport24 on Tuesday.
Among the co-hosts of the approaching EuroBasket 2025, Cyprus was previously rumored to potentially feature Vezenkov in the tournament.
Competing in the preliminary round between August 28 and September 4, the Group C host will face Bosnia-Herzegovina, Greece, Spain, Georgia, and Italy.
“Called a fake Greek bothered me”
The 29-year-old forward of Olympiacos, recently named Finals MVP in the Greek League, has represented Bulgaria at the youth and senior levels throughout his career. Through additional connections, he was initially also eligible to play for Greece and Cyprus.
Ergin Ataman: I love Greece. I saw many people with Greek flags. How many Greek players play in Olympiacos? Only one. All fake [Greek] players: Walkup, Vezenkov, Dorsey…
At Panathinaikos we have all Greek players, main players. Sloukas, Mitoglou, Papapetrou.. pic.twitter.com/1ruBJsyOfS
Following the championship-clinching win of Olympiacos over Panathinaikos on Sunday, Ataman included Vezenkov among the ‘fake Greek players’ of Olympiacos.
— Antonis Stroggylakis (@AStroggylakis) June 8, 2025
“Called a fake Greek bothered me. I’m not going to sit here and say I’m a Greek or anything like that. I speak Greek fluently. I know the history. I went to school here. I grew up here. I know the customs and traditions of the country. I love this country. I don’t think anyone can call me a fake Greek,” he mentioned, “People can say many things in the heat of the moment. Everyone fights for their country. I understand Coach Ataman his reaction. But he works in Greece. I understand how he loves his country, you can’t take that away from him.”
“My parents are Bulgarian. They worked many jobs in Cyprus, and are proud of that opportunity. I was born there. My sister and her kids still live there. For me, Cyprus is Greek, despite the division. So, you can’t be defined by one specific country. I love each of the three countries the same,” he said.
Adding to senior international experience in the EuroBasket Qualifiers, Vezenkov scored 40 points in his lone appearance for Bulgaria. At 2-4 in Group D, his side was eliminated in February.