Olympiacos star Sasha Vezenkov weighed in on the EuroLeague GOAT debate by highlighting Vassilis Spanoulis, while also enjoying the presence of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Novak Djokovic in Piraeus during the playoff game.
Credit: EuroLeague Basketball via Getty Images
Credit EuroLeague Basketball via Getty Images
Credit Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images
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You don’t often see this many legends in one arena – it felt more like a summit of global sports than a typical EuroLeague playoff game.
Dejan Bodiroga handed the MVP award to Sasha Vezenkov, who joined an exclusive group in EuroLeague history. A group so rare that only Anthony Parker had done it before – multiple MVP winners in the competition.
Vezenkov paused for a quick sponsor selfie at center court before rejoining his teammates ahead of Game 2 against AS Monaco.
And then the show kept growing.
Midway through the first quarter, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Novak Djokovic walked into the building. Later, alongside Kyle Kuzma courtside, they soaked in the atmosphere – even joining chants with the Olympiacos fans.
And the crowd had plenty to react to.
Olympiacos dominated again, fueled by another MVP-level performance from Vezenkov, who dropped 21 points.
“First of all, it’s an honor when legends of sport come here and are part of the game,” Vezenkov told BasketNews following more than a convincing win, 94-64.
“We know Novak is a Red Star fan, and there’s a connection between the fanbases – they’re like brothers. Giannis is Greek, he understands everything, he feels every moment. He was at the Aris Arena two nights ago, now he’s here. It’s important for European basketball. The atmosphere was amazing. It’s something really, really big.”
Speaking of legends, the GOAT conversation naturally followed.
As only the second player ever to win multiple EuroLeague MVP awards, Vezenkov was asked about the greatest of all time.
“It’s tough. For me, what Vassilis Spanoulis did is something really amazing. But there have been a lot of great players,” he told BasketNews.
“Winning is a big part of this debate. I agree with that – I don’t know if it’s about winning one, two, three, or four titles,” Vezenkov smiled. “But winning is what we play for. Individual awards are nice, they give you confidence and show your work, but at the end of the day, the most important thing is the title you win with your team.”
That’s the one still missing.
Two EuroLeague MVPs. Four All-EuroLeague First Team selections, but no title yet for Vezenkov.
And this might be the year.
Olympiacos are now just three wins away, holding a 2–0 lead over Monaco after back-to-back dominant wins – 91-70 and 94-64 – a combined 51-point margin.
“We have to be realistic. Monaco had tough moments – they changed the coach, they’re missing players, and they don’t have a deep rotation. Some players haven’t experienced the playoffs before, so they have to step up,” Vezenkov said, acknowledging Monaco’s difficult season.
Before the series, Olympiacos trailed 7-10 in the all-time head-to-head and had lost the previous four matchups, including last year’s Final Four semifinal in Abu Dhabi.
“From our side, we just focus on ourselves. We don’t look at who’s in front of us – we just try to give 100% every time. We knew it would be tough battles with Monaco, but I think this year is different. We have to show it on Tuesday.”
That’s the standard at the top. Consistency – night after night, season after season.
And right now, Vezenkov looks like he belongs among the very best to ever do it.
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Donatas Urbonas is an award-winning Lithuanian basketball journalist, recognized as the best sports journalist in Lithuania in 2016 and the top basketball journalist in 2018. A Vilnius University journalism graduate, Urbonas has reported on major global sports events, including the Rio 2016 and Paris 2024 Olympics, FIBA World Cups, EuroBaskets, NBA Summer League, and NBA Draft.
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