Three smoking guns

A few days ago, Sasha Vezenkov became the top scorer of the Stoiximan GBL, with 382 points (an average of 19.1) in 20 games. This is the second time the Olympiacos superstar has achieved this feat. Ten years ago, during the 2014-15 season, wearing the Aris jersey, he was once again the top scorer of the regular season.

Sasha's achievement becomes even more special because he is only the third player in Olympiacos history to accomplish this in the Greek league. To find the first two, we need to go back quite a few years. In the 2009-10 season, it was Josh Childress, and in the 1991-92 season, it was Zarko Paspalj.

Olympiacosbc.gr spoke with the "three smoking guns" of the Thrylos (Olympiacos) and tries to… combine history with the present.

JOSH CHILDRESS
"Sasha is not afraid of the moment."

 American Josh Childress was the transfer that shook the world of basketball in 2008, as his decision to leave the magical world of the NBA and come to Greece and Olympiacos made global headlines. The "Afanas" (his nickname) was also the last Olympiacos player to be the top scorer in the A1 league during the 2009-2010 season. Reflecting on his achievement and the recent achievement of Sasha Vezenkov, Josh spoke to www.olympiacosbc.gr.

You’ve always been a great player—and an even greater person—for the Olympiacos family. Do you still follow the team? What are your thoughts on Olympiacos this season?
“Thank you very much for the kind words. They really mean a lot! Olympiacos will always have a special place in my heart. I’ve always appreciated the love and support I received from the fans and the organization. Even now, when I travel to different countries, I still meet Olympiacos fans. This kind of connection is rare.
I do everything I can to follow the team as much as I can. It’s amazing to see the continued success of the club and to see familiar faces still making such an impact. I remember a young Kostas Papanikolaou on our team, full of energy, eager to learn, and constantly working to improve. To see him leading the team now as captain makes me truly proud. It’s a testament to his growth and dedication.
We even had a small reunion of former players here in California a little while ago. That shared bond is really nice.”

In the final round of the Basket League, Sasha Vezenkov became the top scorer of the regular season of the Greek league. Looking back, 15 years ago, you were the last Olympiacos player to have that distinction. What do you remember from that season, and what is your opinion on Sasha as a player?
“It’s an honor for me to have been the last Olympiacos player to win that recognition. It’s not an easy feat, especially in a team like ours, which had so much talent and depth. There were games where my playing time was limited, or the scoring was really balanced, so to stand out in that context required efficiency and to stay aggressive from the start. I was fortunate to have point guards like Theo Papaloukas, Milos Teodosic, Patrick Beverley, and Scoonie Penn, and one of the best big-man passers I’ve ever worked with, Nikola Vujcic. These guys knew how to find you in the right spots and keep the offense flowing.
As for Sasha, he’s a special player. He has an incredible shot, moves incredibly well without the ball, and has such a high basketball IQ. But beyond that, he plays with real passion and intensity. He’s not afraid of the moment. I watched his journey in the NBA, and I was proud to see him represent Olympiacos and European basketball at that level. I’m happy to see his continued success, and I hope he can carry that momentum into the playoffs.”

How difficult is it to become the top scorer in a league like the Greek Basket League?
“It’s very difficult, especially in a league with strong defensive systems, where every opponent is focused on stopping you. To lead the league in scoring, you need to be consistent, efficient, and smart with your opportunities. In every game, defenses are designed to limit you, so you have to find different ways to stay productive. I tried to stay active, run in transition, move without the ball, and let my defense create offense. You need to read the game and take what’s given to you.
That’s one thing I really respect about Sasha’s game. He’s not just a shooter. Although he’s elite from the perimeter, he also gets about 4-5 points per game from the free-throw line. That shows he’s aggressive, draws contact, and puts pressure on the defense. That’s the sign of a good scorer.”

Finally, we’d like a message from you to the fans and a wish for the team as we approach the end of the season.
“To all the Olympiacos fans, THANK YOU! You welcomed me with open arms and made my time in Greece unforgettable. Your passion for the game, your dedication to the team, and the energy you bring every night are things I often talk about here in the U.S. You’re truly some of the best fans in the world.
To the team, I wish you health, focus, and success. I hope you bring more championships to Piraeus and continue to make history. I’ll be cheering for you from afar and hope to meet you in the stands sometime soon.”

Zarko Paspalj
"Sasha's help to the team is huge"

The great Zarko Paspalj was a prolific scorer throughout his career. During his three years with Olympiacos, he had some magical nights and often piled up points against opponents.

Zarko spoke to www.olympiacosbc.gr about his own years at Olympiacos and the records set by Sasha Vezenkov.

A few days ago, Sasha Vezenkov finished the Greek league season as the top scorer. In previous years, only you and Josh Childress had achieved this. How difficult is it to become the top scorer in a competition like this?
“Certainly, we’re talking about different circumstances, 30 years ago and today. However, when a player achieves something like this, it’s a reward for the good games they’ve played, and in the end, that’s what matters.
As for the conditions, the basketball back then compared to today has changed a lot. I can’t say whether it was better or worse, it was just different. But in any case, both Childress and Sasha have done something fantastic. It means they’ve helped the team a lot.”

Do you still follow Olympiacos and Sasha this season?
“I’ve been watching Sasha for the last 2-3 seasons, both before he left for the NBA and now that he’s returned. I see how much of a huge help he is to Olympiacos. He’s one of the players who have really stabilized in the team. Olympiacos suits him, and Olympiacos, in turn, gets a lot from him, not just points, but also many other things that help them stay at the top of the Euroleague standings.
I watch all the team’s games. The Euroleague is very interesting, seeing how the whole season unfolds. We have two teams here in Belgrade, Partizan and Red Star, but Olympiacos and Panathinaikos are key teams in the competition. Generally, Euroleague basketball has intensity, good energy, and a lot of fans who support their teams.”

Sasha also set a record in the history of Olympiacos in the Euroleague this year by scoring 45 points against Bayern, but in Greece, the record still belongs to you.
“I know, it was a fantastic moment for him! As for me, well, it just happened. I was a good player, came to Olympiacos, which was a different Olympiacos back then, with different energy, management, coach, and regulations. The first year I came, only one foreign player was allowed, and then it increased to two. Being a foreign player in a team with big goals like Olympiacos meant you had to make a big difference. Fortunately, I managed to do that.
I never counted these things (records) as something particularly important. What matters are the things that happen in games that decide titles. And back then, I’m sure the Greek league was much more interesting than it is today. Of course, this doesn’t only happen in Greece but also in Turkey and almost everywhere that has somewhat neglected its domestic basketball in favor of focusing more on the Euroleague. That’s the big difference between then and now.”

Was it harder to score a lot then or now?
“I can’t say. There’s no specific answer; it’s subjective. In my opinion, basketball back then was more beautiful, more romantic. The Greek league was great, much more interesting, with many teams that could invest money to improve, and the Greek players were very good. But whether it was harder or easier, I think that’s subjective.”

It’s been many years since you played at the SEF, but the love of Olympiacos fans for you is still immense. How do you feel about that? Would you like to send a message to the fans?
“Once Olympiacos, always Olympiacos. That will never change. The relationship I have with the fans is at a very high level. I feel this every time I come to Greece, and every time fans, friends, people from the neighbourhood see me, they treat me as if I’m Greek. This is a big moment and proof that someone can get to know you through basketball, that the sport elevated you, but ultimately what’s more important is the relationship you’ve maintained with the fans.
We all wanted to play basketball for 30 and 40 years, but it doesn’t work that way. At some point, it ends, and a completely different life begins. However, if someone manages to build such a relationship with the fans, it’s a gift from God.”

Sasha Vezenkov
"What matters is winning the Euroleague and the Championship"

Even though Sasha Vezenkov has been named top scorer for the second time in the Greek league, has achieved this in the Euroleague, and is striving for the same accomplishment again this year, he doesn’t easily talk about himself or his achievements.

However, when two such great players speak highly of him, he opened up with more ease.

This isn't the first time you've been the top scorer in the Greek league, as you achieved this with Aris a few years ago. But this is your first "Olympiacos" time, and you're the third player in the club’s history to accomplish this feat, following Zarko Paspalj and Josh Childress.
"It's great when you see your name mentioned in the same conversation with these legendary players—two people who have contributed so much to Olympiacos and to basketball as a whole. However, as I’ve said before, we’re here for the team achievements. What really matters to me is for us to reach the end and win the championship and the Euroleague.

I have an image… Especially from Josh Childress’s games, not just because he was closer to my time and I was old enough to watch him play, but also because he played in the NBA. Zarko Paspalj played in a time when I was just born, but I’ve watched many videos of him. Both were huge players. And I’ll repeat that it’s incredibly flattering to be mentioned alongside these great players for any reason."

Against Bayern, you scored 45 points. This number is frightening by Euroleague standards. You're now the player with the most points in a game for Olympiacos in Europe. Do you chase these records?
"The truth is, I don't focus on it. When you get on the court, the most important thing is that your team wins and you contribute. When you're having a good night and scoring many points, it’s definitely one of those games that stay with you. Against Bayern, I felt good, and the team was looking for me... There was the recent 50-point record by Hayes that everyone had in mind. But, it didn’t happen... It’s fine, we move on... Records are not the goal, but it’s certainly a night I’ll never forget."

Do you think it’s easier to score in Zarko’s era, Childress’s, or now?
"I believe every era is unique. We can’t compare eras, styles, or players… and that's because comparisons would be unfair in all directions. It's a completely different style of basketball, with a different pace. The sport is constantly evolving, every year... So I won’t say what's easier or harder. Basketball is something unique in each of its eras."

How do you feel knowing that two great basketball players have spoken about you in the best way?
"It’s a huge honor. For these two legends to talk about me like this is really touching, and it gives me even more motivation to work and become better. I truly thank them for their kind words."

The Numbers of the Top Guns...
In the table below, published by the official site of the Greek league (www.esake.gr), you'll find the stats of the three top scorers of the season who finished as the number one scorers in the Greek league.