By Dimitris Minaretzis/ info@eurohoops.net
Sasha Vezenkov sat down with Eurohoops to discuss everything from real-life championship high stakes to his status in fantasy basketball.
While the EuroLeague Most Valuable Player was our distinguished guest, he lacks the typical arrogance that so often accompanies such monumental individual success. Instead, Vezenkov remains remarkably humble and grounded. He views his extraordinary, sustained, and wide-ranging performances not as a personal showcase, but primarily as a vehicle for collective team success.
His list of individual accolades is staggering, the kind of resume that 99% of his peers would envy. He is a two-time regular-season MVP and took home the Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy in both 2023 and 2026. At just 31, he is on the verge of breaking into the EuroLeague’s top ten all-time scorers and is only two Round MVP awards away from eclipsing Shane Larkin’s record of 19.
These feats alone are enough to secure an immortal legacy. However, Vezenkov evaluates success differently. For him, a legacy is forged exclusively through team triumphs. The ten titles he has hoisted with the Reds, and those he intends to pursue in the future, serve as the fuel driving him to push his limits even further. His ultimate reward might eventually be seeing his No. 14 jersey raised to the rafters of the Peace and Friendship Stadium, though he remains too modest to dwell on it. He is similarly cautious about discussing his future on the sidelines, despite already laying the groundwork for a post-playing coaching career.
Vezenkov shared these insights with Eurohoops during the EuroLeague Media Day ahead of the 2026–27 season. This year, Olympiacos faces the daunting task of defending their European crown, a title won at the Telekom Center Athens.
“I think the most important thing about 2026 is that, after years of hard work, you finally reach the top and reap the rewards of your sacrifices,” Vezenkov said when asked if winning the trophy lifted a massive weight off the club’s shoulders. “That success provides motivation and hunger to get back there. It was an incredibly powerful moment because when you have tasted failure and missed out on your goals in the past, finally achieving them brings a sense of relief. At the same time, it sparks the fire to fight for even more.”
“Every single stage of the EuroLeague is a battle,” he added. “Even reaching the Final Four is incredibly difficult, but winning it is an entirely different challenge. It is step-by-step, day-by-day. I know it sounds like a cliche, but it’s the truth. When you compete across so many months, the absolute priority is staying healthy when it matters most.”
NBA, MVP challenges
The Olympiacos superstar also confirmed that he received some interest from the NBA over the summer. However, his loyalty remains clear. “I’ve learned never to say never regarding what tomorrow might bring. But for right now, I am exactly where I want to be, here with my family, ready to fight for every title,” he mentioned.
The upcoming campaign will feature unique hurdles. Due to temporary arena adjustments, Olympiacos will undergo a forced relocation to the Sunel Arena for the first half of the season. Vezenkov admits this will be an unprecedented experience for the squad, but expresses total confidence that the passionate fan base will show up in full force regardless of the venue.
He also spoke with visible emotion about the team’s core identity, specifically naming Shaquielle McKissic, Alec Peters, Moustapha Fall, Giannoulis Larentzakis, and Thomas Walkup, teammates with whom he has shared years of trials and triumphs. Looking further down the line, Vezenkov touched upon his coaching aspirations, having already earned an official coaching certification from a Bulgarian sports academy.
“I love the game deeply, but right now, I am a player,” Vezenkov noted. “You never know how life unfolds. A coach’s daily routine is highly complex, and you can never predict how a season will swing. It is a path I have always thought about and respected. We will see what the future holds.”
When pressed again on his identity as a perennial MVP candidate, his values remained unchanged.
“I try to do everything required to help my team win and maximize my productivity on the floor. Individual awards feel good internally, but the priority is always the team’s victory. That is how you establish a true legacy and stay at the absolute top. Individual accolades are wonderful, but they don’t compare to holding a team trophy,” he explained.
He views a potential jersey retirement by Olympiacos as the highest honor a player can receive. “I hope God blesses me to experience that honor one day,” he reflected.
Finally, the conversation pivoted to EuroLeague Fantasy, where Vezenkov enters the season once again holding the highest price tag in the game.
“There are two approaches. Managers who will lock me into their lineups without a second thought, and those who will argue I cost too much,” Vezenkov said, smiling. “Personally? I would 100% recommend picking me.”
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