Sasha Vujačić
![]() Vujačić playing for the Knicks in 2017 | ||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||
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Born | Maribor, SR Slovenia, SFR Yugoslavia | March 8, 1984|||||||||||
Nationality | Slovenian / American | |||||||||||
Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | |||||||||||
Listed weight | 195 lb (88 kg) | |||||||||||
Career information | ||||||||||||
NBA draft | 2004: 1st round, 27th overall pick | |||||||||||
Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers | ||||||||||||
Playing career | 2001–2019 | |||||||||||
Position | Shooting guard / point guard | |||||||||||
Number | 18, 20 | |||||||||||
Career history | ||||||||||||
2001–2004 | Snaidero Udine | |||||||||||
2004–2010 | Los Angeles Lakers | |||||||||||
2010–2011 | New Jersey Nets | |||||||||||
2011–2013 | Anadolu Efes | |||||||||||
2014 | Los Angeles Clippers | |||||||||||
2014 | Reyer Venezia Mestre | |||||||||||
2014 | Laboral Kutxa | |||||||||||
2015 | İstanbul BB | |||||||||||
2015–2017 | New York Knicks | |||||||||||
2017–2018 | Auxilium Torino | |||||||||||
2019 | Scaligera Basket Verona | |||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||
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Stats at NBA.com | ||||||||||||
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | ||||||||||||
Medals
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Aleksander "Sasha" Vujačić[1] (Serbian Cyrillic: Александар Саша Вујачић; Slovene: Aleksander Saša Vujačič; often rendered in English as without diacritics; born March 8, 1984) is a Slovenian former professional basketball player. He was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2004 NBA draft with the 27th overall pick. In the 2007–08 season, Vujacic set the Lakers record for the best three-point field goal percentage (.437) in a single season.[2] In the 2009 and 2010 seasons, he won the NBA championship with the Lakers. Vujacic is also a two-time Turkish Basketball League All-Star and a Turkish Basketball League MVP.[3]
Early career
[edit]From 1998 to 2000, Vujačić played for Branik and Polzela.[4] The following year, he played for the Snaidero Udine junior team, before joining the senior team in 2001.[5]
Vujačić played for the Slovenian junior national team and won a silver medal at the 2002 European Junior Championship.[6]
Professional career
[edit]Italy (2001–2004)
[edit]From 2001 to 2004, Vujačić played for Snaidero Udine of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A.[5]
Los Angeles Lakers (2004–2010)
[edit]Vujačić was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 27th overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft.[7] He signed a multi-year deal with the Lakers on July 20, 2004.[8] He recorded a then-career high 22 points in a win over the Denver Nuggets on November 29, 2007.[9] In the 2007–08 season, Vujačić made 118 of his 270 three-point field goal attempts, setting the Los Angeles Lakers single-season record for the best three-point field goal percentage (.437). During Game 3 of the 2008 NBA Finals, Vujačić scored a career playoff-high 20 points off the bench and was the only Laker, with the exception of Kobe Bryant, to score in double figures.[10] The Lakers went on to lose the series in six games to the Boston Celtics.
On July 28, 2008, Vujačić re-signed with the Lakers on a multi-year deal.[11] Los Angeles made it back to the NBA Finals to face the Orlando Magic. The Lakers defeated the Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals in a 4–1 series, earning Vujacic his first NBA championship.
In Game 6 of the 2010 NBA Finals, Vujačić led the Lakers' bench with 9 points, including two three-pointers. With 11 seconds left in Game 7 and the Lakers leading by two points, Vujačić made two free throws that sealed the Lakers' victory over the Celtics in a Game 7 for the first time in the longstanding Lakers-Celtics rivalry.[12]
New Jersey Nets (2010–2011)
[edit]On December 15, 2010, Vujačić was traded to the New Jersey Nets in a three-team trade involving the Lakers and Houston Rockets. Vujačić tied his career high of 22 points on January 1, 2011. On February 9, 2011, Vujačić set a new career high with 25 points in a win over the then New Orleans Hornets.
Anadolu Efes (2011–2013)
[edit]In July 2011, he signed a one-year contract with the option for another year with Anadolu Efes.[13] In his first Euroleague season he averaged 13.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.[14]
On August 6, 2012, it was confirmed that Vujačić would stay with the team for one more season.[15] In a Euroleague game against EA7 Milano on November 16, he scored 29 points, leading his team to a 77–71 victory.[16] He averaged 12.8 points and 2.7 rebounds per game across ten regular season games.[17] Vujačić helped Efes advance to the Top 16 round, edging Cedevita on the road by 81–73 in one of the most crucial games in group C.[18][19]
Los Angeles Clippers (2014)
[edit]On February 3, 2014, Vujačić signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.[20] He did not re-sign with the Clippers after the first 10-day contract expired.[21]
Reyer Venezia Mestre (2014–2015)
[edit]On March 25, 2014, Vujačić signed with Italian team Reyer Venezia Mestre for the rest of the 2013–14 season.[22] He played 5 matches with the team, scoring 11 points per game.[23]
Laboral Kutxa (2014–2015)
[edit]On October 28, 2014, Vujačić signed with the Spanish team Laboral Kutxa for the rest of 2014–15 season.[24] He left the team on December 30, 2014.[25]
Istanbul BB (2014–2015)
[edit]On January 2, 2015, he signed with İstanbul BB of Turkey for the rest of the 2014–15 Turkish Basketball League season.[26]
New York Knicks (2015–2017)
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/Sasha_Vujacic_%2822634268816%29.jpg/220px-Sasha_Vujacic_%2822634268816%29.jpg)
On August 7, 2015, Vujačić signed with the New York Knicks.[27] He made his debut for the Knicks in the team's season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 28, recording 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals in a 122–97 win.[28] On March 9, 2016, Vujačić scored a season-high 23 points to help the Knicks defeat the Phoenix Suns 128–97.[29]
Vujačić re-signed with the Knicks on July 14, 2016.[30] On February 1, 2017, he made Knicks history by converting two four-point plays during the Knicks 95–90 win over the Brooklyn Nets.[31]
Auxilium Torino (2017–2018)
[edit]Vujačić signed with Italian club Auxilium Torino for the 2017–18 season on August 29, 2017.[32] On February 18, 2018, Vujačić scored the game-winning layup to win the 2018 edition of the Italian Basketball Cup with Fiat Torino, beating Germani Basket Brescia 69–67 in the Finals.[33]
Career statistics
[edit]GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
† | Won an NBA championship | * | Led the league |
NBA
[edit]Regular season
[edit]Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2004–05 | L.A. Lakers | 35 | 3 | 11.5 | .282 | .270 | .947 | 1.8 | 1.5 | .3 | .1 | 2.9 |
2005–06 | L.A. Lakers | 82* | 4 | 17.7 | .346 | .343 | .885 | 1.9 | 1.7 | .6 | .0 | 3.9 |
2006–07 | L.A. Lakers | 73 | 4 | 12.8 | .392 | .373 | .878 | 1.5 | .9 | .6 | .0 | 4.3 |
2007–08 | L.A. Lakers | 72 | 0 | 17.8 | .454 | .437 | .835 | 2.1 | 1.0 | .5 | .1 | 8.8 |
2008–09† | L.A. Lakers | 80 | 0 | 16.2 | .387 | .363 | .921 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 1.0 | .1 | 5.8 |
2009–10† | L.A. Lakers | 67 | 1 | 8.6 | .402 | .309 | .848 | 1.2 | .6 | .3 | .1 | 2.8 |
2010–11 | L.A. Lakers | 11 | 0 | 4.9 | .348 | .429 | .500 | .4 | .5 | .1 | .0 | 1.8 |
2010–11 | New Jersey | 56 | 17 | 28.5 | .404 | .369 | .851 | 3.3 | 2.3 | .9 | .1 | 11.4 |
2013–14 | L.A. Clippers | 2 | 0 | 5.0 | .400 | .500 | .000 | 1.5 | .0 | .5 | .0 | 2.5 |
2015–16 | New York | 61 | 25 | 14.9 | .383 | .364 | .821 | 2.4 | 1.4 | .6 | .1 | 4.9 |
2016–17 | New York | 42 | 4 | 9.7 | .309 | .311 | .708 | 1.4 | 1.2 | .3 | .0 | 3.0 |
Career | 581 | 58 | 15.3 | .390 | .367 | .858 | 1.9 | 1.3 | .6 | .1 | 5.3 |
Playoffs
[edit]Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2006 | L.A. Lakers | 7 | 0 | 18.4 | .423 | .600 | 1.000 | 2.4 | .9 | .6 | .0 | 6.0 |
2007 | L.A. Lakers | 4 | 0 | 10.8 | .556 | .250 | .000 | 1.0 | .8 | .3 | .0 | 2.8 |
2008 | L.A. Lakers | 21 | 0 | 21.7 | .399 | .392 | .857 | 2.2 | .8 | .6 | .2 | 8.1 |
2009† | L.A. Lakers | 23 | 0 | 10.9 | .264 | .314 | .833 | 1.4 | .5 | .4 | .2 | 3.0 |
2010† | L.A. Lakers | 10 | 0 | 7.6 | .435 | .400 | .833 | .8 | .5 | .2 | .0 | 3.1 |
Career | 65 | 0 | 14.7 | .366 | .384 | .879 | 1.6 | .6 | .4 | .1 | 5.0 |
Euroleague
[edit]Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG | PIR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011–12 | Anadolu Efes | 16 | 16 | 29.0 | .407 | .338 | .864 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.1 | .2 | 13.9 | 12.2 |
2012–13 | Anadolu Efes | 24 | 7 | 21.7 | .376 | .376 | .758 | 3.0 | 1.0 | .8 | .1 | 9.1 | 8.3 |
2014–15 | Laboral Kutxa | 8 | 2 | 21.7 | .318 | .292 | .667 | 1.9 | .8 | .3 | .1 | 4.9 | 1.8 |
Career | 48 | 25 | 24.1 | .409 | .349 | .803 | 2.9 | 1.2 | .8 | .1 | 10.0 | 7.4 |
Personal life
[edit]Vujačić was born in Maribor, Slovenia, to a Serbian father and Slovenian mother. His father was a Serbian basketball player and coach, Vaso Vujačić[34] while his mother Ksenija was a Slovenian volleyball player.[35]
His mother was playing volleyball for a top Yugoslav women's club, Branik Maribor, but quit her career at the age of 19 when she got pregnant with Sasha.[35] His parents divorced when he was 2, and he lived with his mother and stepfather Goran Bjeković . He has two siblings, a sister named Nina, and a brother named Aljosa. In addition to playing basketball, he enjoys volleyball, tennis, and soccer.[36]
He was once engaged to professional tennis player Maria Sharapova,[37] but the two separated in 2012.[38]
In early 2020, Vujačić's relationship with American TV presenter Kristine Leahy was revealed.[39] The two initially met in October 2019 when he appeared as guest on her Fair Game interview program on Fox Sports 1 and subsequently became involved romantically.[39]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Our Story - Aleksander Wine
- ^ Three Point Field Goal Percentage – Los Angeles Times
- ^ Week 6 MVP: Sasha Vujacic, Anadolu Efes Istanbul – Euroleague
- ^ mš (February 17, 2012). "Deset odvetnikov usklajevalo predporočno pogodbo Šarapove in Vujačića" (in Slovenian). dnevnik.si. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
- ^ a b "SASHA VUJACIC". interperformances.com. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- ^ 20 Sasha Vujacic – HoopsHype
- ^ "2004 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ Sasha Vujacic Player Profile – RealGM
- ^ "Kobe watches 4th quarter from bench as Vujacic, Lakers bounce Nuggets". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 29, 2007. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, June 10, 2008". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ "LAKERS RESIGN FREE AGENT SASHA VUJACIC". NBA.com. July 28, 2008. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ Gutterman, Ron (June 17, 2021). "This Day In Lakers History: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol Deliver Franchise's 16th Championship With Game 7 Win Over Celtics In 2010 NBA Finals". Lakers Nation. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ "Anadolu Efes signs Vujacic". TalkBasket.net. July 15, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- ^ "Vujacic Sasha 2011/12 Season". Euroleague. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
- ^ "Sasha Vujacic staying with Anadolu Efes Istanbul". Sportando. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
- ^ "Vujacic stars as Anadolu Efes holds off EA7 Milano". Sportando. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
- ^ "Vujacic Sasha Seasonal stats". Euroleague. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
- ^ "Game report". Euroleague.net. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
- ^ "Farmar, Vujacic lead Efes into Top 16". Sportando. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
- ^ "SASHA VUJACIC SIGNED TO 10-DAY CONTRACT". NBA.com. February 3, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ Clippers Not To Sign Sasha Vujacic To Second 10-Day Contract
- ^ "[UFFICIALE]: Reyer, che botto! Arriva Sasha "The Machine" Vujacic". Basketinside.com (in Italian). Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- ^ "Umana Reyer Venezia stats". eurobasket.com.
- ^ "Laboral Kutxa lands Vujacic for remainder of the 2014-15 season". Euroleague.net. October 28, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
- ^ "Sasha Vujacic se desvincula de Laboral Kutxa Baskonia". ACB.com (in Spanish). December 30, 2014.
- ^ Istanbul BSB announces Vujacic, Jenkins and Markota
- ^ "Knicks Sign Sasha Vujacic". NBA.com. August 7, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
- ^ "Williams scores 24, Knicks beat Bucks 122-97 in opener". NBA.com. October 28, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
- ^ "Vujacic, Anthony lead hot-shooting Knicks past Suns". NBA.com. March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ "Knicks Re-Sign Sasha Vujacic". NBA.com. July 14, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
- ^ "Porzingis, subs rally Knicks to 95-90 victory over Nets". ESPN.com. February 1, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
- ^ "Torino completes roster with Sasha Vujacic". Eurohoops. August 29, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- ^ "Basket, Final Eight: Torino-Brescia 69-67. Storica prima dell'Auxilium" [Basketball, Final Eight: Torino-Brescia 69-67. Historical first time for Auxilium]. gazzetta.it (in Italian). February 18, 2018. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
- ^ Prominent Slovenian Athletes in the United States by Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia, January 2007.
- ^ a b "Rojen na dan žena" (in Slovenian). vujacic.net. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011.
- ^ NBA.com : Sasha Vujacic Bio Page
- ^ Sharapova gets engaged to Lakers' guard Vujacic
- ^ Maria Sharapova and Sasha Vujacic call off engagement
- ^ a b "Former NBA star Sasha Vujacic and TV presenter Kristine Leahy confirm relationship after interview airs". NewsComAu. January 3, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Career statistics and player information from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com
- Sasha Vujačić at euroleague.net
- Sasha Vujačić at tblstat.net
- Sasha Vujačić on X
- 1984 births
- Living people
- Anadolu Efes S.K. players
- Auxilium Pallacanestro Torino players
- İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor basketball players
- Lega Basket Serie A players
- Los Angeles Clippers players
- Los Angeles Lakers draft picks
- Los Angeles Lakers players
- NBA players from Slovenia
- New Jersey Nets players
- New York Knicks players
- Reyer Venezia players
- Saski Baskonia players
- Shooting guards
- Slovenian expatriate basketball people in Italy
- Slovenian expatriate basketball people in the United States
- Slovenian men's basketball players
- Slovenian people of Serbian descent
- Sportspeople from Maribor