Last July, he said he was joining the NBA so as not to make up the numbers. A season later, difficult to qualify Sasha Vezenkov as a walk-on for the Kings. But the person concerned agrees : “ Overall, I can say it's been a weird season. Highs and lows. New game, new life, some injuries. I tried to adapt as quickly as possible. »
Going from the heights of Europe, where he was voted EuroLeague MVP, to the Big League has never been easy. He quickly experienced it. Two weeks before the start of the season, Mike Brown pointed out his defensive failings.
The 28-year-old nevertheless managed to find his place in the rotation, being offered between 10 and 15 minutes each evening. Without ever really succeeding in establishing itself in the long term. Especially since in mid-February, his ankle gave way, depriving him of the floors for several weeks.
No regrets
“ Between what I could have done and what I did, they are two different things. If you ask me what role I had this year, it's difficult. You have to be ready. There is a match where you play well, another not. It's like that. You have ten minutes to play, maybe less, maybe five, to do your best. […] Your impact on the game is not significant enough. […] I think I did 100% of what was asked of me », Judges the one who has reached or exceeded 10 points eight times this season.
Marked by the level of talent of the players in the Great League and the speed of the game, the native of Nicosia was, for example, almost not used in the two play-in rounds, against the Warriors, then the Pelicans. “ Unfortunately, we were taken out too soon. Everyone wanted to continue and go far in the playoffs. We must learn lessons », displays Sasha Vezenkov who, personally, thinks he must improve in all areas this summer.
His offseason priority will first be to return home and then plan for his summer program. One thing is certain, the power forward, who signed for three years in California, does not regret having crossed the Atlantic: “ I made the right choice, there is no doubt about it. It was a great opportunity, you can't say otherwise, it's the NBA. Like I said, I have doubts about other things, but not this one. »
| Sasha Vezenkov | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | BAG | 42 | 12 | 44.0 | 37.5 | 80.0 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 5.4 |
| Total | 42 | 12 | 44.0 | 37.5 | 80.0 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 5.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
