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Aleksandar Vezenkov

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Aleksandar Vezenkov (Bulgarian: Александър Везенков; Greek: Αλέξανδρος Βεζένκοφ; born 6 August 1995), most commonly known as Sasha Vezenkov[3] (Bulgarian: Саша Везенков; Greek: Σάσα Βεζένκοφ), is a Bulgarian professional basketball player for Olympiacos of the Greek Basket League (GBL) and the EuroLeague.

Aleksandar Vezenkov
Vezenkov with Olympiacos in 2022
No. 14 – Olympiacos
PositionPower forward
LeagueGreek Basket League
EuroLeague
Personal information
Born (1995-08-06) 6 August 1995 (age 29)
Nicosia, Cyprus
NationalityBulgarian / Greek / Cypriot[1]
Listed height2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)[2]
Listed weight102 kg (225 lb)
Career information
NBA draft2017: 2nd round, 57th overall pick
Selected by the Brooklyn Nets
Playing career2011–present
Career history
2011–2015Aris Thessaloniki
2015–2018FC Barcelona
2018–2023Olympiacos
2023–2024Sacramento Kings
2024–presentOlympiacos
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Standing at 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in),[2] Vezenkov is a stretch power forward.[4] A two-time All-EuroLeague First Team selection, he was elected EuroLeague MVP in 2023 and reached the EuroLeague final with Olympiacos the same year.

Early career

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Vezenkov was born in Nicosia to Bulgarian parents and was raised in Cyprus and Greece.[5][6] He holds triple citizenship for Bulgaria, Cyprus and Greece.[1]

Vezenkov, who was always considered to be one of the best youth players in Europe in his age group, began playing youth club basketball in Cyprus in 2005 with APOEL Nicosia's youth teams. In 2009, at the age of 14, he moved to Greece and began playing youth club basketball with Aris' youth teams, until 2011, when he joined Aris' senior men's club.[7] He trained for several years at Nick Galis Hall, located near the center of Thessaloniki, Greece.

On 16 May 2013, Vezenkov committed to play American college basketball in the Big East Conference, at Xavier University, with the Xavier Musketeers.[8] However, he ultimately decided to stay in Greece with his club team Aris instead.[9]

Professional career

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Aris (2011–2015)

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Vezenkov began his pro career with the senior men's team of Aris, in the Greek League, in 2011, appearing in 10 games, with an average of 2.5 minutes on the floor.[10] In the 2012–13 season, he appeared in 21 games, averaging 3.9 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.[11] He was named the Greek League Best Young Player in 2013.[12]

In August 2013, he re-signed with Aris for 3 years.[9] In the next season, he established himself in the team, appeared in 26 games and averaged 11.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 0.9 steals per game.[13] He was named the Greek League Best Young Player again in 2014.[14] In the local derby against rivals PAOK, during the 2014–15 season, Vezenkov achieved Greek League career-highs in scoring and rebounding, with 29 points and 14 rebounds respectively.[15]

During 26 regular season games, Vezenkov led the league in total points scored, with 469, and was second in total rebounds grabbed, with 201.[16] In total, he played in 37 games during the 2014–15 Greek Basket League season, averaging 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.[17] He was the league's official full-season leader in scoring and rebounding. He was also named the league's MVP, Most Improved Player, and Best Young Player that season.[18] Vezenkov had originally planned to enter the 2015 NBA draft, but later withdrew his name from it before the deadline that was set for international players in June.

Barcelona (2015–2018)

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On 31 July 2015, Vezenkov signed a four-year deal (with the 4th year being optional) worth €2 million net income,[19] with the Spanish ACB League club FC Barcelona.[20] FC Barcelona also paid a €315,000 buyout fee to Vezenkov's former club, Aris.[21] Vezenkov's contract with FC Barcelona also included a buyout option for the NBA, set at the amount of €1 million.[22] The Spanish League club Valencia Basket, and the Greek League club Panathinaikos, were also interested in signing Vezenkov to a contract at the time.[21] Vezenkov would then put his name in the 2016 NBA draft, after his first season with Barcelona ended. However, he ultimately removed his name from the draft on the 13 June 2016, the deadline for international players.

With Barcelona, Vezenkov won the Spanish Supercup title in 2015, and was named to the all Spanish League All-Young Players Team of the 2016–17 season. On 29 June 2018, Barcelona parted ways with him.[23]

Olympiacos (2018–2023)

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On 12 July 2018, Vezenkov signed a two-year deal with Olympiacos of the EuroLeague.[24][25]

On 10 July 2020, Vezenkov signed a two-year extension with the team.[26] He recorded his EuroLeague career-high on 18 March 2021, scoring 31 points in an 80–84 win at Alba Berlin.

In the 2021–22 season, Vezenkov established himself as a regular starter at Olympiacos. On 20 February 2022, he recorded 18 points and 13 rebounds in the Greek Cup Final against arch-rivals Panathinaikos, helping the club win its first title after 6 years. He was also named EuroLeague February MVP, playing an important role in Olympiacos finishing second in the Euroleague Regular Season with a 19–9 record, the club's best ever finish. On 27 April 2022, he scored 17 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in the 83–87 road win, in Game 3 of the playoff series against Monaco, helping his team regain homecourt advantage and eventually qualify for the EuroLeague Final Four, for the first time since 2017. He finished the EuroLeague season averaging 13.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and a Performance Index Rating of 17.8. His performance earned him a spot in the All-EuroLeague First Team. On 17 June 2022, in Game 3 of the Greek League Finals against Panathinaikos, he recorded 25 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, with Olympiacos completing the domestic Double, having swept their rivals.

Vezenkov won the Bulgarian Sportsperson of the Year award in 2022, which made him the second basketball player to win the award after Vanya Voynova in 1958.[27]

In the 2022–23 EuroLeague season, Vezenkov was chosen as the EuroLeague MVP[28] and won the Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy,[29] which made him only the second player to win both accolades in the same season, after Nando de Colo in 2016. In 40 EuroLeague games, he averaged 17.6 points (66% from the field, 38% from beyond the arc, 88% from the free throw line), 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, with a 21.5 PIR (Performance Index Rating), playing around 29 minutes per contest.

Sacramento Kings (2023–2024)

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On 22 June 2017, Vezenkov was selected with the 57th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft by the Brooklyn Nets.[30] On 14 January 2021, the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired his draft rights from the Nets in a multi-team trade involving James Harden.[31] On 23 June 2022, his rights were traded to the Sacramento Kings for the 49th pick in the 2022 draft, which was used to pick Isaiah Mobley.[32]

On 18 July 2023, Vezenkov signed a three-year, $20 million deal with the Kings.[33]

On 28 June 2024, Vezenkov, Davion Mitchell, the draft rights to Jamal Shead, and a 2025 second-round draft pick were traded to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Jalen McDaniels.[34] On 22 July 2024, he was waived by the Raptors.[35]

Return to Olympiakos (2024–present)

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On 25 July 2024, Vezenkov returned to Olympiacos of the Greek Basket League.[36]

On October 31, 2024, he received a Hoops Agents Player of the Week award for Round 6. He had 23 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists.[37]

National team career

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Junior national team

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Vezenkov was a member of the Bulgarian junior national teams. With Bulgaria's junior national teams, he played at the following tournaments: the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, the 2011 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, the 2012 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, the 2012 FIBA Europe Under-20 Division B Championship, and the 2013 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship. He led the 2011 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship in scoring, with an average of 27.1 points per game.[38]

He led the 2013 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship in scoring, with an average of 22.4 points per game.[39] He also led the 2014 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship in scoring, averaging 19.3 points per game,[40] and rebounds, averaging 11.2 rebounds per game.[41] He was also named to the tournament's All-Tournament Team.[42]

Senior national team

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Vezenkov represented the senior men's Bulgarian national team in the second qualification tournament for FIBA EuroBasket 2015, averaging 17.3 points per game, and also being the highest scoring player for the team, in 5 of their 6 games, as well as the team's overall top scorer.[43] He also played at the EuroBasket 2017 qualification as well as the team's successful qualification for EuroBasket 2022 and the actual tournament, during which he was the leading scorer for Bulgaria.

Club career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  PIR  Performance Index Rating
 Bold  Career high

NBA

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Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2023–24 Sacramento 42 0 12.2 .440 .375 .800 2.3 .5 .5 .2 5.4
Career 42 0 12.2 .440 .375 .800 2.3 .5 .5 .2 5.4

Play-in

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2024 Sacramento 2 0 6.4 .200 .000 — 1.5 .0 .5 .0 1.0
Career 2 0 6.4 .200 .000 — 1.5 .0 .5 .0 1.0

EuroLeague

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* Led the league
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2015–16 Barcelona 22 1 8.9 .457 .444 1.000 1.2 .3 .2 .0 2.7 2.6
2016–17 30 6 18.4 .577 .479 .848 3.2 1.1 .7 .2 7.5 9.7
2017–18 13 1 11.4 .429 .222 .923 2.5 .5 .4 .1 3.5 5.2
2018–19 Olympiacos 28 3 10.2 .488 .207 .810 2.2 .4 .4 .1 3.8 4.8
2019–20 26 3 13.4 .540 .459 .808 2.0 .5 .3 .2 7.1 6.9
2020–21 31 13 23.3 .463 .430 .887 5.4 1.1 .7 .5 11.5 14.8
2021–22 38 38* 30.1 .530 .370 .833 5.9 1.5 1 .2 13.7 17.8
2022–23 40 39 29.1 .536 .378 .879 6.8 1.9 1 .1 17.6* 21.5*
Career 228 104 20.2 .519 .395 .860 4.1 1.0 .6 .2 9.6 11.9

Domestic leagues

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† Denotes season in which Vezenkov won the Greek Basket League championship
* Led the league
Year Team League GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011-12   Aris HEBA A1 10 2.5 .858 .500 .890 2.6 — — — .4
2012-13   Aris HEBA A1 20 14.2 .519 .260 .750 2.6 .9 .1 .1 4.0
2013-14   Aris HEBA A1 25 28.1 .630 .384 .756 5.9 2.1 .9 .1 11.1
2014-15   Aris HEBA A1 26 32.5* .557 .390 .780 7.7* 1.8 .9 .3 18.0*
2015-16   Barcelona ACB 33 13.2 .487 .358 .783 2.7 .6 .2 .2 4.6
2016-17   Barcelona ACB 32 18.9 .536 .378 .833 3.2 .8 .5 .3 10.4
2017-18   Barcelona ACB 21 15.4 .538 .429 .714 3.3 .9 .4 .5 6.9
2018-19   Olympiacos HEBA A1 25 18.9 .526 .381 .813 4.8 1.1 .5 .2 7.9
2021-22†   Olympiacos HEBA A1 29 24.0 .655 .433 .806 7.0 1.8 1.0 .5 15.5*
2022-23†   Olympiacos HEBA A1 32* 24.0 .663* .394 .801 5.8 1.9 1.0 .2 17.0*

Bulgaria national team career statistics

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National team

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Year National Team Tournament GP PPG RPG APG
2015 Bulgaria Men EuroBasket qualification 6 17.3 6.3 1.5
2017 EuroBasket qualification 4 17.0 4.3 3.3
2019 World Cup qualification 7 16.4 8.7 1.9
2022 EuroBasket
5
26.8
12.2
2.2
2023 World Cup qualification 1 29.0 11.0 2.0
2025 EuroBasket qualification 3 27.3 9.0 4.0

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Youth National team

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Year National Team Tournament GP PPG RPG APG
2011 U16 Bulgaria U16 EuroBasket 9
27.1
 9.9 3.6
2012 U18 Bulgaria U18 EuroBasket 9 16.7 5.7 1.9
2013 U18 EuroBasket 9 22.4 10.2 2.9
2014 U20 Bulgaria U20 EuroBasket 9 19.3 11.2 2.6

Awards and accomplishments

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Youth club career

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Aris Thessaloniki

Club career

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Barcelona

Olympiacos

Individual

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Bulgarian national team

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Personal life

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Vezenkov is the son of Yanka Vezenkova (née Gerginova) and Sashko "Sasho" Vezenkov,[50] who has served as both head coach and director of sports of Lukoil Academic.[51][52] He is also a former international basketball player, who played at EuroBasket 1985, EuroBasket 1989, and EuroBasket 1991.[53] Sasho was also the captain of the senior men's Bulgarian national basketball team.[54] Sasho moved to Cyprus, and he played and coached basketball there in the Cypriot Basketball League for many years.

Vezenkov's older sister, Michaela Vezenkova,[55] played college basketball at UNC Wilmington, and also played professionally in the Cypriot women's league.[56] Vezenkova decided to represent Cyprus, rather than Bulgaria, and she eventually became the captain of the Cypriot women's national basketball team.[54]

While living in Cyprus as a youth, Vezenkov attended Greek schools. He is fluent in both Greek and Bulgarian.[5]

Vezenkov officially received Greek citizenship on 30 December 2015,[6] under the official name of Alexander "Alex" Vezenkof (Greek: Αλεξάντερ "Αλέξ" Βεζένκοφ),[57] with his common Greek name being Sasha Vezenkof (Greek: Σάσα Βεζένκοφ). Before acquiring Greek citizenship, Vezenkov had gone on record to say that he felt like a member of Greek society, since he was born and raised in Greek communities in both Cyprus and Greece.[58] He is in a relationship with Greek waterpolo player Nikoleta Eleftheriadou.

References

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  1. ^ a b Nationality: Bulgaria/Cyprus/Greece.
  2. ^ a b "Sasha Vezenkov". NBA.com. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  3. ^ VEZENKOV, SASHA.
  4. ^ "FIBAEurope.com Aleksandar Vezenkov plays for Borac Čačak Nationality:(Bulgaria) BUL". Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  5. ^ a b Αλ. Βεζένκοφ: «Νιώθω σαν να είμαι Ελληνας» (in Greek).
  6. ^ a b Ο Βεζένκοφ έδωσε... ελληνικό όρκο! (in Greek).
  7. ^ Eurohopes.com Aleksandar Vezenkov Miscellaneous.
  8. ^ CollegeBasketballTalk.com Xavier lands 6–8 forward Aleksandar Vezenkov.
  9. ^ a b Ο Αλέξανδρος Βεζένκοβ στον ΑΡΗ για τα επόμενα τρία χρόνια (in Greek). Archived 8 August 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "Alexander Vezenkov player statistics 2011–12" (in Greek). Greek Basket League. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  11. ^ "Alexander Vezenkov player statistics 2012–13" (in Greek). Greek Basket League. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  12. ^ A1Basket.gr Basket League Greece 2012–13 best rookie: Aleksandar Vezenkov.
  13. ^ "Alexander Vezenkov player statistics 2013–14" (in Greek). Greek Basket League. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  14. ^ ESAKE.gr Καλύτερος νέος παίκτης 2014: ΑΛ. ΒΕΖΕΝΚΟΦ (in Greek).
  15. ^ Το ντέρμπι κρίθηκε στον «αέρα» (in Greek). Greek Basket League. 7 February 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  16. ^ "Οι κορυφαίοι της κανονικής περιόδου στη Basket League! (pics) Διάβασε περισσότερα στο: Οι κορυφαίοι της κανονικής περιόδου στη Basket League!" (in Greek). gazzetta.gr. 11 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  17. ^ "ΒΕΖΕΝΚΟΦ Αλέξανδρος Basket League ΣΚΡΑΤΣ 2014–15" (in Greek). Greek Basket League. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  18. ^ VEZENKOV IS THE HEBA MVP. Archived 12 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ "Учен от Харвард превръща Александър Везенков в супериграч". epicenter.bg (in Bulgarian). 6 July 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  20. ^ "Barcelona inks top prospect Vezenkov through 2019". Euroleague.net. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  21. ^ a b Vezenkov, una joya búlgara para el Barça (in Spanish).
  22. ^ Vezenkov announced by Barcelona.
  23. ^ "Agreement for the release of Vezenkov, Diagné and Koponen | FC Barcelona". FC Barcelona. 29 June 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  24. ^ "Έπιασε" Λιμάνι ο Βεζένκοφ!. olympiacosbc.gr (in Greek). 12 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  25. ^ "Olympiacos reshapes frontline with Vezenkov". EuroLeague.net. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  26. ^ Skerletic, Dario (10 July 2020). "Sasha Vezenkov extends with Olympiacos until 2022". Sportando. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  27. ^ "Basketballer Aleksandar Vezenkov Named Best Bulgarian Athlete of 2022". bnr.bg. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  28. ^ "2022–23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague MVP: Sasha Vezenkov, Olympiacos Piraeus | EuroLeague". Euroleague Basketball. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  29. ^ "Sasha Vezenkov wins Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy". basketnews.com. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  30. ^ "BROOKLYN NETS SELECT ALEKSANDAR VEZENKOV WITH 57TH PICK IN 2017 NBA DRAFT". NBA.com. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  31. ^ "Cavaliers Acquire Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince from Brooklyn as Part of Three-Team Trade". NBA.com. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  32. ^ "Cavaliers Acquire 49th Pick in NBA Draft". NBA.com. 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  33. ^ "Sacramento Kings Sign Sasha Vezenkov". NBA.com. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  34. ^ "RAPTORS COMPLETE TRADE WITH KINGS". NBA.com. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  35. ^ Adams, Luke (22 July 2024). "Raptors Buy Out Sasha Vezenkov, Waive Javon Freeman-Liberty". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  36. ^ "Βεζένκοφ 5ετίας!". OlympiacosBC.gr (in Greek). 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  37. ^ "Vezenkov's 23 points and 8 rebounds give him Player of the Week award". www.eurobasket.com. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  38. ^ FIBAEurope.com STATISTICAL LEADERS – PLAYERS Points Per Game.
  39. ^ STATISTICAL LEADERS – PLAYERS Points Per Game.
  40. ^ "FIBAEurope.com STATISTICAL LEADERS – PLAYERS Points Per Game". Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  41. ^ FIBAEurope.com STATISTICAL LEADERS – PLAYERS Total Rebounds.[permanent dead link]
  42. ^ "FIBAEurope.com Osman Headlines All-Tournament Team". Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  43. ^ Aleksandar Vezenkov FIBA EuroBasket 2015 Qualification Profile.
  44. ^ "Οι GM's του ΝΒΑ ψήφισαν: Κορυφαίος παίκτης εκτός της λίγκας ο Βεζένκοφ - Τρεις πρωτιές για τον Γιάννη". to10.gr (in Greek). 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  45. ^ "BasketNews EuroLeague players ranking: Top 10". basketnews.com. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  46. ^ Везенков отново стана Най-добър млад играч в България (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  47. ^ Kamenov, Kalin (24 December 2014). 30-те най-обещаващи млади спортисти на България (in Bulgarian). kalinkamenov.com. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  48. ^ Kyrtunov, Bozhidar (30 December 2022). "Александър Везенков е най-добрият спортист в България за годината". dnevnik.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  49. ^ Kichukov, Simeon (4 January 2024). "За втора поредна година Александър Везенков е Спортист №1 на България". dnevnik.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  50. ^ Sasho Vezenkov
  51. ^ Сашо Везенков: федерацията се ръководи от Тити, "Ту носи баница, ту носи боза, ту с всички", заяви треньорът на Лукойл (PDF) (in Bulgarian). livemedia.bg. 21 May 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  52. ^ Информация за шампионите в българското баскетболно първенство (PDF) (in Bulgarian). basketball.bg. 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  53. ^ Sachko VEZENKOV (BUL) participated in 6 FIBA / FIBA Zones events.
  54. ^ a b בולגריה מתגעגעת לפיני גרשון. (in Hebrew)
  55. ^ "Cypriot Basketball players abroad – Part 1". Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  56. ^ MICHAELA VEZENKOVA basketball profile.
  57. ^ Ο Βεζένκοφ ορκίζεται Έλληνας Ο Βεζένκοφ ορκίζεται Έλληνας. (in Greek)
  58. ^ Βεζένκοφ: "Αγαπώ την Ελλάδα και τον Άρη". (in Greek)
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