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Alexander Vezenkov considers his move to the National Basketball Association (NBA) to be the right decision despite the less playing time he received with the Sacramento Kings. This is what the Bulgarian basketball player said at a press conference after the end of the season.
His team, the Sacramento Kings, fell short of the playoffs, losing in the play-in tournament.
Vezenkov moved to the NBA last summer after becoming the EuroLeague MVP, playing in the tournament final and winning a double in Greece with Olympiakos. He is the second Bulgarian in the strongest basketball championship after Georgi Glushkov (season 1985-1986 with “Phoenix Suns”).
“I can say that it was a strange season. With highs and lows. For me it was the beginning of a new life and a touch with a completely different style of play, and also I got two injuries. I tried to adapt as quickly as possible,” said Vezenkov in front of reporters.
He played in 42 of 82 regular season games, averaging 12.2 minutes per game. Vezenkov scored a total of 225 points, or 5.4 per match.
“The NBA differs with the quality of the talented players. It’s just crazy. It’s one thing to watch it on TV, but in reality it’s very different – the pace of the game, the speed of the transfer. I personally need to improve in every aspect. The only thing which is good that we will have a long break until the next season. This allows everyone to work and get better,” commented the Bulgarian.
Vezenkov is under contract with Sacramento for one more season plus an option for a third year that can be activated.
“There’s no doubt that I made the right decision to play in the NBA. I certainly doubted other things, but at no point did I think that my choice was wrong. It’s a big opportunity that you can’t turn down – it’s NBA.”
Vezenkov adds that it was difficult for him to show his best with limited time on the field.
“What I want to get in terms of playing time and what I’m given are different things. If you ask me about the role I had during the season – it was very difficult. One game you play well, another game you don’t. You have 10 minutes or maybe less and you have to show your best. I’m a positive person and I try to be like that all the time to help my teammates. I think through this one season I did 100% what was asked of me.”
