Cyprus Pursuing Sasha Vezenkov and Moses Wright for EuroBasket
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Loading... - Vittoria Riva
- 17 Mar 2025
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As Cyprus prepares to co-host EuroBasket 2025, the national basketball team is actively exploring the possibility of adding talented players Sasha Vezenkov and Moses Wright to its roster. While FIBA rules may facilitate their inclusion, several challenges remain for the Cypriot Basketball Federation to navigate.
Despite a challenging qualifying campaign, where the Cyprus national team failed to secure a win in any of their six games, the federation remains optimistic about their prospects in the upcoming tournament. In their final qualifying matches, Cyprus faced tough competition from teams like France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia, suffering significant defeats, including a loss by 83 points in total across the two games. They conceded 108 points to Bosnia and 104 points in a home game against Croatia last Monday evening.
However, the Cypriot Basketball Federation believes that the team can improve and not merely serve as a "punching bag" in EuroBasket 2025. The federation has been in discussions for several months regarding the potential addition of Sasha Vezenkov, who has a unique connection to Cyprus. Born in Nicosia to Bulgarian parents, Vezenkov began his basketball journey at the age of 10 with the youth teams of APOEL. He later moved to Thessaloniki to join the junior teams of Aris and eventually signed with FC Barcelona in 2015.
Andreas Mouzourides, president of the Cypriot Basketball Federation, emphasized Vezenkov's roots in Cyprus, stating, "Sasha grew up in Cyprus and learned to play basketball in Cyprus." This connection could play a crucial role in his eligibility to represent the national team. Additionally, Vezenkov's sister, Michaela Vezenkova, serves as the manager of the women's national team and represents Cyprus in FIBA's Women in Basketball program, further solidifying the family's ties to Cypriot basketball.
In addition to Vezenkov, the federation is also considering Moses Wright, who has shown promise in his basketball career. The inclusion of both players could significantly enhance the team's competitiveness and overall performance in EuroBasket 2025.
As the Cypriot Basketball Federation navigates the complexities of player eligibility and team composition, they remain hopeful that these talented athletes will join the national team, helping to elevate Cyprus's presence in international basketball. The federation's proactive approach reflects a commitment to improving the sport within the country and making a mark on the European stage.
