Sacramento Kings set to introduce EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov. Here’s how you can watch
The Kings have scheduled an introductory news conference for Sasha Vezenkov, the former Olympiacos star and EuroLeague MVP who signed with Sacramento in July.
Vezenkov and Kings general manager Monte McNair will address the media at 2 p.m. Thursday inside the team’s Golden 1 Center practice facility. The Kings will livestream the news conference on their YouTube channel.
Vezenkov was seen sitting courtside at Golden 1 Center with McNair, Kings coach Mike Brown and other members of the organization when he visited Sacramento during the California Classic in July. Vezenkov also accompanied the team to Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League, but he was not formally introduced or made available to the media because his three-year, $20 million contract had not been finalized.
Vezenkov, 28, is a 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward who should fit quite nicely in Sacramento, where the Kings led the league in scoring last season and set a record with the highest offensive rating in NBA history. He is a skilled shooter with a quick release who will help the Kings space the floor around All-NBA point guard De’Aaron Fox and All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis.
Vezenkov is a three-time Greek League MVP. He was named EuroLeague MVP last season after averaging 17.6 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 38% from 3-point range to lead Olympiacos to the championship game at the EuroLeague Final Four.
Vezenkov received a warm welcome from Kings fans when he made his first appearance in Sacramento on the final day of the California Classic. He entered the arena with McNair and sat along the baseline near the Kings’ bench. Vezenkov was greeted by Fox and Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé while chatting with several members of the organization, including assistant general manager Wes Wilcox and assistant coaches Jordi Fernandez and Jay Triano.
Vezenkov was originally selected by the Brooklyn Nets with the 57th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft. His draft rights were later traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a multi-team deal involving James Harden. The Kings acquired the rights to Vezenkov from the Cavaliers in exchange for the 49th pick in the 2022 draft.
That marked the beginning of a yearlong courtship as the Kings worked to bring Vezenkov to the NBA. The organization sent several representatives overseas to scout and build a relationship with Vezenkov, including McNair, Brown, Triano, vice president of player personnel Phil Jabour and Chief Operating Officer Matina Kolokotronis.
This story was originally published August 30, 2023 at 10:59 AM.
