Sasha Vezenkov topped the NBA general managers' vote for the best international player competing outside the world's top league, confirming the high regard in which he is held in European basketball.

The Olympiacos forward garnered 77% of the votes in the NBA’s annual survey for the 2026–27 season, leaving Jonas Valančiūnas of Žalgiris far behind, who received 7%. In the same poll, votes were also cast for Joakim Boumje-Boumje, Nikola Mirotić, Jean Montero, Kendrick Nan, and Eddie Tavares.

In fact, Vezhenkov significantly improved his performance compared to last year’s poll, when he had garnered 44% of the votes, also taking first place in that category at the time.

This recognition comes after yet another outstanding season in the EuroLeague for the Bulgarian star. During the 2025–26 season, he averaged 19 points and 6.4 rebounds in 39 games, winning the “Alphonso Ford” award for the tournament’s leading scorer “Alphonso Ford” award and the second MVP award of his career.

The Spurs are the favorites to win the title, with Wembanyama as the top MVP candidate

In the same survey, NBA general managers named the San Antonio Spurs as the favorites to win the championship in 2027, with 50% of the vote, while the Oklahoma City Thunder followed with 43%.

Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama garnered 77% of the votes for MVP of the 2026–27 season, leaving Nikola Jokić in second place with 10%. The French center was also named the top international player in the NBA, garnering 53% of the votes, compared to 47% for the Serbian star.