Aleksander "Sasha" VujačićOur Story - Aleksander Wine
/ref> ( sr-Cyrl, Александар Саша Вујачић; sl, Aleksander Saša Vujačič; often rendered in English as without

diacritic A diacritic (also diacritical mark, diacritical point, diacritical sign, or accent) is a glyph added to a letter or to a basic glyph. The term derives from the Ancient Greek (, "distinguishing"), from (, "to distinguish"). The word ''diacriti ...

s; 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 The 2004 NBA draft was held on June 24, 2004, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, and was broadcast live on ESPN at 7:00 pm ( EDT). In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur colle ...

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. In the 2009 and 2010 seasons, he won the NBA championship with the Lakers. Vujacic is also a two-time

Turkish Basketball League Turkish may refer to: *a Turkic language spoken by the Turks * of or about Turkey ** Turkish language *** Turkish alphabet ** Turkish people, a Turkic ethnic group and nation *** Turkish citizen, a citizen of Turkey *** Turkish communities and ...

All-Star and a Turkish Basketball League MVP.

Early career

From 1998 to 2000, Vujačić played for

Branik Branik (; it, Rifembergo, german: Reifenberg) is a village in western Slovenia in the Municipality of Nova Gorica. Until 2011, Pedrovo was a hamlet of Branik. Name The name of the settlement was changed from Rihemberk (earlier ''Rifenberg'', fr ...

and

Polzela Polzela () is a settlement in Slovenia. It is the seat of the Municipality of Polzela. It lies on the left bank of the Savinja River extending into the Ložnica Hills ( sl, Ložniško gričevje) to the north. The area is part of the traditional r ...

. The following year, he played for the Snaidero Udine junior team, before joining the senior team in 2001. Vujačić played for the Slovenian junior national team and won a silver medal at the 2002 European Junior Championship.

Professional career

Italy (2001–2004)

From 2001 to 2004, Vujačić played for Snaidero Udine of the Italian

Lega Basket Serie A The Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) is a professional men's club basketball league that has been organised in Italy since 1920. Serie A is organised by Lega Basket, which is regulated by the Italian Basketball Federation (FIP). It is the highest-tier ...

Los Angeles Lakers (2004–2010)

Vujačić was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 27th overall pick in the

. He signed a multi-year deal with the Lakers on July 20, 2004.Sasha Vujacic Player Profile – RealGM
/ref> He recorded a then-career high 22 points in a win over the Denver Nuggets on November 29, 2007. 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 The 2008 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2007–08 season and conclusion of the season's playoffs. In this best-of-seven playoff series, the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics def ...

, 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. 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. Los Angeles made it back to the NBA Finals to face the Orlando Magic. The Lakers defeated the Magic in the

2009 NBA Finals The 2009 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2008–09 season. The best-of-seven playoff was contested between the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers (who were also the defending ...

in a 4–1 series, earning Vujacic his first NBA championship. In Game 6 of the

2010 NBA Finals The 2010 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2009–10 season and conclusion of the season's playoffs. In this best-of-seven playoff series, the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Laker ...

, 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.

New Jersey Nets (2010–2011)

On December 15, 2010, Vujačić was traded to the

New Jersey Nets New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created. New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz Albums and EPs * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator ...

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)

In July 2011, he signed a one-year contract with the option for another year with

Anadolu Efes Anadolu Efes Biracılık ve Malt Sanayii A.Ş.''(lit. Anadolu Efes Brewery and Malt Industries)'' produces and markets beer and malt and non-alcoholic beverages in a wide geographical area comprising Turkey, Russia, the Commonwealth of Independe ...

. In his first Euroleague season he averaged 13.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. On August 6, 2012, it was confirmed that Vujačić would stay with the team for one more season. In a Euroleague game against EA7 Milano on November 16, he scored 29 points, leading his team to a 77–71 victory. He averaged 12.8 points and 2.7 rebounds per game across ten regular season games. Vujačić helped Efes advance to the Top 16 round, edging

Cedevita Cedevita d.o.o. is a Croatian company which produces a wide range of teas, instant drinks, and dietetic products. A notable owner of the company was the Croatian pharmaceutical company Pliva d.d. Since 2001 Cedevita has been part of the Atlantic ...

on the road by 81–73 in one of the most crucial games in

group C Group C was a category of sports car racing introduced by the FIA in 1982 and continuing until 1993, with ''Group A'' for touring cars and ''Group B'' for GTs. It was designed to replace both Group 5 special production cars (closed top touri ...

Los Angeles Clippers (2014)

On February 3, 2014, Vujačić signed a 10-day contract with the

Los Angeles Clippers The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division in the league's Western Conference. The Clipper ...

. He did not re-sign with the Clippers after the first 10-day contract expired.

Reyer Venezia Mestre (2014–2015)

On March 25, 2014, Vujačić signed with Italian team

Reyer Venezia Mestre S.S.P. Reyer Venezia Mestre, commonly known as Reyer Venezia or simply Reyer, is an Italian professional basketball club that is based in Venice, Veneto. The club currently plays in the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA), the highest tier of basketball in ...

for the rest of the 2013–14 season. He played 5 matches with the team, scoring 11 points per game.

Laboral Kutxa (2014–2015)

On October 28, 2014, Vujačić signed with the Spanish team Laboral Kutxa for the rest of 2014–15 season. He left the team on December 30, 2014.

Istanbul BB (2014–2015)

On January 2, 2015, he signed with İstanbul BB of Turkey for the rest of the 2014–15 Turkish Basketball League season.

New York Knicks (2015–2017)

On August 7, 2015, Vujačić signed with the New York Knicks. 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. On March 9, 2016, Vujačić scored a season-high 23 points to help the Knicks defeat the Phoenix Suns 128–97. Vujačić re-signed with the Knicks on July 14, 2016. On February 1, 2017, he made Knicks history by converting two four-point plays during the Knicks 95–90 win over the

Brooklyn Nets The Brooklyn Nets are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. The Nets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The ...

Auxilium Torino (2017–2018)

Vujačić signed with Italian club

Auxilium Torino Auxilium Pallacanestro Torino was an Italian professional basketball club that was based in Turin, Piedmont. It competed in the first division of Italian basketball, the LBA for the last time in the 2018–19 season. The club won one trophy, wh ...

for the 2017–18 season on August 29, 2017. On February 18, 2018, Vujačić scored the game-winning layup to win the

2018 File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the Unit ...

edition of the

Italian Basketball Cup The Italian Basketball Cup (Italian: Coppa Italiana di Pallacanestro), or Coppa Italia, is an annual professional basketball competition between pro clubs from the Italian Basketball League (LBA). It is Italy's first-tier cup competition, and is ...

with Fiat Torino, beating

Germani Basket Brescia Pallacanestro Brescia S.p.A., known for sponsorship reasons as Germani Brescia, is an Italian professional basketball team based in Brescia, Lombardy. Founded in 2009, the team plays in the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) since the 2016–17 season ...

69–67 in the Finals.

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

, - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

L.A. Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Lakers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division. The Lakers play their ...

, 35 , , 3 , , 11.5 , , .282 , , .270 , , .947 , , 1.8 , , 1.5 , , .3 , , .1 , , 2.9 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 82 , , 4 , , 17.7 , , .346 , , .343 , , .885 , , 1.9 , , 1.7 , , .6 , , .0 , , 3.9 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 73 , , 4 , , 12.8 , , .392 , , .373 , , .878 , , 1.5 , , .9 , , .6 , , .0 , , 4.3 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 72 , , 0 , , 17.8 , , .454 , , .437 , , .835 , , 2.1 , , 1.0 , , .5 , , .1 , , 8.8 , - , style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;", † , style="text-align:left;",

, 80 , , 0 , , 16.2 , , .387 , , .363 , , .921 , , 1.7 , , 1.4 , , 1.0 , , .1 , , 5.8 , - , style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;", † , style="text-align:left;",

, 67 , , 1 , , 8.6 , , .402 , , .309 , , .848 , , 1.2 , , .6 , , .3 , , .1 , , 2.8 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 11 , , 0 , , 4.9 , , .348 , , .429 , , .500 , , .4 , , .5 , , .1 , , .0 , , 1.8 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...

, 56 , , 17 , , 28.5 , , .404 , , .369 , , .851 , , 3.3 , , 2.3 , , .9 , , .1 , , 11.4 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", L.A. Clippers , 2 , , 0 , , 5.0 , , .400 , , .500 , , .000 , , 1.5 , , .0 , , .5 , , .0 , , 2.5 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", New York , 61 , , 25 , , 14.9 , , .383 , , .364 , , .821 , , 2.4 , , 1.4 , , .6 , , .1 , , 4.9 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", New York , 42 , , 4 , , 9.7 , , .309 , , .311 , , .708 , , 1.4 , , 1.2 , , .3 , , .0 , , 3.0 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan=2, Career , 581 , , 58 , , 15.3 , , .390 , , .367 , , .858 , , 1.9 , , 1.3 , , .6 , , .1 , , 5.3

Playoffs

, - , style="text-align:left;", 2006 , style="text-align:left;",

, 7 , , 0 , , 18.4 , , .423 , , .600 , , 1.000 , , 2.4 , , .9 , , .6 , , .0 , , 6.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2007 , style="text-align:left;",

, 4 , , 0 , , 10.8 , , .556 , , .250 , , .000 , , 1.0 , , .8 , , .3 , , .0 , , 2.8 , - , style="text-align:left;",

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, style="text-align:left;",

, 21 , , 0 , , 21.7 , , .399 , , .392 , , .857 , , 2.2 , , .8 , , .6 , , .2 , , 8.1 , - , style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;", 2009† , style="text-align:left;",

, 23 , , 0 , , 10.9 , , .264 , , .314 , , .833 , , 1.4 , , .5 , , .4 , , .2 , , 3.0 , - , style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;", 2010† , style="text-align:left;",

, 10 , , 0 , , 7.6 , , .435 , , .400 , , .833 , , .8 , , .5 , , .2 , , .0 , , 3.1 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan=2, Career , 65 , , 0 , , 14.7 , , .366 , , .384 , , .879 , , 1.6 , , .6 , , .4 , , .1 , , 5.0

Euroleague

, - , style="text-align:left;", 2011–12 , style="text-align:left;",

, 16 , , 16 , , 29.0 , , .407 , , .338 , , .864 , , 3.3 , , 1.7 , , 1.1 , , .2 , , 13.9 , , 12.2 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2012–13 1 (one, unit, unity) is a number representing a single or the only entity. 1 is also a numerical digit and represents a single unit of counting or measurement. For example, a line segment of ''unit length'' is a line segment of length 1. I ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 24 , , 7 , , 21.7 , , .376 , , .376 , , .758 , , 3.0 , , 1.0 , , .8 , , .1 , , 9.1 , , 8.3 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2014–15 , style="text-align:left;", Laboral Kutxa , 8 , , 2 , , 21.7 , , .318 , , .292 , , .667 , , 1.9 , , .8 , , .3 , , .1 , , 4.9 , , 1.8 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan=2, Career , 48 , , 25 , , 24.1 , , .409 , , .349 , , .803 , , 2.9 , , 1.2 , , .8 , , .1 , , 10.0 , , 7.4

Personal life

Vujačić was born in Maribor,

Slovenia Slovenia ( ; sl, Slovenija ), officially the Republic of Slovenia (Slovene: , abbr.: ''RS''), is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the southeast, an ...

, to a Serbian father and

Slovenian Slovene or Slovenian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Slovenia, a country in Central Europe * Slovene language, a South Slavic language mainly spoken in Slovenia * Slovenes The Slovenes, also known as Slovenians ( sl, Sloven ...

mother. His father was a Serbian basketball coach,Prominent Slovenian Athletes in the United States
by Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia, January 2007. while his mother Ksenija was a Slovenian volleyball player. 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. 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. He was once engaged to professional tennis player

Maria Sharapova Maria Yuryevna Sharapova ( , ; rus, Мари́я Ю́рьевна Шара́пова, p=mɐˈrʲijə ʂɐˈrapəvə, a=Maria_sharapova.ogg; born 19 April 1987) is a Russian former world No. 1 tennis player. She competed on the WTA Tour from 2 ...

, but the two separated in 2012. In 2020, it was revealed that Vujacic and TV presenter

Kristine Leahy Kristine Leahy (born October 16, 1986) is an American television host and former sports reporter. She is most known as a former host on NBC's ''American Ninja Warrior''. She is the former co-host and newswoman of Fox Sports 1's simulcast of ''The ...

were in a relationship.

References

External links

Sasha Vujačić
at euroleague.net
Sasha Vujačić
at tblstat.net * {{DEFAULTSORT:Vujacic, Sasha 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 National Basketball Association 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