Kings prospect Sasha Vezenkov scores 29 points in EuroLeague Final loss

Kings prospect Vezenkov stars in EuroLeague Final loss originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea

Kings prospect and Olympiacos star Sasha Vezenkov put up a herculean effort in the EuroLeague Final on Sunday in Lithuania, but it wasn't enough to lead his team to victory.

The standout forward posted a game-high 29 points in Olympiacos' heartbreaking 79-78 loss to Real Madrid, tying the record for the most points by a player in a EuroLeague Final, per EuropeanHoops on Twitter.

Vezenkov also tallied nine rebounds and four assists in 39 minutes of action.

This is all great news for the Kings, who acquired Vezenkov's NBA rights last offseason after sending the No. 49 overall pick of the 2022 draft to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange.

Vezenkov's Final performance came after he was voted EuroLeague Most Valuable Player for the 2022-23 season on Thursday. The 27-year-old averaged 17.2 points per game while shooting 53.8 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from 3-point range in 38 games played for Olympiacos, and ranked second in the league in both rebounds (6.8) and two-point shots made (4.4).

Sacramento has spent time in recent months watching Vezenkov play overseas -- first, assistant coach Jay Triano traveled to Greece to watch Vezenkov in February, and, most recently, coach Mike Brown took in Vezenkov's play during the EuroLeague playoffs.

Whether or not Vezenkov will play in Sacramento during the 2023-24 NBA season remains to be seen. NBA insider Marc Stein reported earlier this month that Vezenkov is seriously considering the possibility of playing in the United States next season.

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Stein also reported, citing a source, that a deal between Vezenkov and the Kings is "trending toward inevitable." Brown, when watching Vezenkov play this month, told Greek media he thought the forward played fearlessly, and that the Kings are "extremely excited" about him (h/t Basket News).

As Sacramento looks to prove their return to the NBA playoffs this past season wasn't a fluke, a player like the 6-foot-9 Vezenkov certainly could help their chances at making back-to-back postseason appearances.