Aleksander "Sasha" VujačićOur Story - Aleksander Wine
/ref> ( sr-Cyrl, Александар Саша Вујачић; ; 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 ''diacrit ...

s; born March 8, 1984) is a Slovenian former professional basketball player. He was selected by the

Los Angeles 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 Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Conference (NBA ...

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. 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.

Early career

From 1998 to 2000, Vujačić played for

Branik Branik (; , ) is a village in western Slovenia Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia, is a country in Central Europe. It borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the south and southeast, a ...

and Polzela. 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 (sport), club basketball list of basketball leagues, league that has been organised in Italy since 1920. Serie A is organised by Lega Basket, which is regulated by the Italian Basketball ...

Los Angeles Lakers (2004–2010)

Vujačić was drafted by the

with the 27th overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft. 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 NBA Finals, championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2007–08 NBA season, 2007–08 season and conclusion of 2008 NBA playoffs, the season's playoffs. A best-of-seven playoff series that was ...

, Vujačić scored a career playoff-high 20 points off the bench and was the only Laker, with the exception of

Kobe Bryant Kobe Bean Bryant ( ; August 23, 1978 – January 26, 2020) was an American professional basketball player. A shooting guard, he List of NBA players who have spent their entire career with one franchise, spent his entire 20-year career with t ...

, to score in double figures. The Lakers went on to lose the series in six games to the

Boston Celtics The Boston Celtics ( ) are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NBA), Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), ...

. 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 Orlando Magic are an American professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. The Magic compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division (NBA), Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference (NB ...

. 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 The 2010 NBA Finals was the NBA Finals, championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2009–10 NBA season, 2009–10 season and conclusion of 2010 NBA playoffs, the season's playoffs, held from June 3 to 17, 2010. A best-of ...

, 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 or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 ** "New" (Paul McCartney song), 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, 1995 * "New" (Daya song), 2017 * "New" (No Doubt song), 1 ...

in a three-team trade involving the Lakers and

Houston Rockets The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA) ...

. 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. 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 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 car racing, touring cars and ''Group B'' for Grand tourer, GTs. It was designed to replace both Group 5 (motorspor ...

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 the Greater Los Angeles area. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The ...

. 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 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 The New York Knickerbockers, shortened and more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the Na ...

. 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 The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Conference (NBA), We ...

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 Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Brooklyn. The Nets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NBA), ...

Auxilium Torino (2017–2018)

Vujačić signed with Italian club Auxilium Torino for the 2017–18 season on August 29, 2017. On February 18, 2018, Vujačić scored the game-winning layup to win the

2018 Events January * January 1 – Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, after the Estonian presidency. * January 4 – SPLM-IO rebels loyal to Chan Garang Lual start a raid against Juba, capital of ...

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 69–67 in the Finals.

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

, - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", L.A. Lakers , 35 , , 3 , , 11.5 , , .282 , , .270 , , .947 , , 1.8 , , 1.5 , , .3 , , .1 , , 2.9 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", L.A. Lakers , style="background:#cfecec;", 82* , , 4 , , 17.7 , , .346 , , .343 , , .885 , , 1.9 , , 1.7 , , .6 , , .0 , , 3.9 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", L.A. Lakers , 73 , , 4 , , 12.8 , , .392 , , .373 , , .878 , , 1.5 , , .9 , , .6 , , .0 , , 4.3 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", L.A. Lakers , 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;", L.A. Lakers , 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;", L.A. Lakers , 67 , , 1 , , 8.6 , , .402 , , .309 , , .848 , , 1.2 , , .6 , , .3 , , .1 , , 2.8 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", L.A. Lakers , 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 U.S. state, state located in both the Mid-Atlantic States, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. Located at the geographic hub of the urban area, heavily urbanized Northeas ...

, 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 2006 was designated as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification. Events January * January 1– 4 – Russia temporarily cuts shipment of natural gas to Ukraine during a price dispute. * January 12 – A stampede during t ...

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

2007 2007 was designated as the International Heliophysical Year and the International Polar Year. Events January * January 1 **Bulgaria and Romania 2007 enlargement of the European Union, join the European Union, while Slovenia joins the Eur ...

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

2008 2008 was designated as: *International Year of Languages *International Year of Planet Earth *International Year of the Potato *International Year of Sanitation The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...

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

2009 2009 was designated as the International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's first known astronomical studies with a telescope and the publication of Astronomia Nova by Joha ...

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

2010 The year saw a multitude of natural and environmental disasters such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and the 2010 Chile earthquake. The 2009 swine flu pandemic, swine flu pandemic which began the previous year ...

† , style="text-align:left;", L.A. Lakers , 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;", Anadolu Efes , 16 , , 16 , , 29.0 , , .407 , , .338 , , .864 , , 3.3 , , 1.7 , , 1.1 , , .2 , , 13.9 , , 12.2 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2012–13 , style="text-align:left;", Anadolu Efes , 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 Maribor ( , , ; also known by other #Name, historical names) is the List of cities and towns in Slovenia, second-largest city in Slovenia and the largest city of the traditional region of Styria (Slovenia), Lower Styria. It is the seat of the ...

Slovenia Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia, is a country in Central Europe. It borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the south and southeast, and a short (46.6 km) coastline within the Adriati ...

, to Montenegrin basketball player and coach Vaso Vujačić,Prominent Slovenian Athletes in the United States
by Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia, January 2007. and Slovenian volleyball player Ksenija. 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 became 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 (, ; born 19 April 1987) is a Russian former professional tennis player. She was ranked as the world No. 1 in women's singles by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) for 21 weeks. Sharapova won 36 WTA Tour-level sin ...

, but the two separated in 2012.Maria Sharapova and Sasha Vujacic call off engagement
/ref> In early 2020, Vujačić's relationship with American TV presenter Kristine Leahy was revealed. The two initially met in October 2019 when he appeared as guest on her ''Fair Game'' interview program on

Fox Sports 1 Fox Sports 1 (branded on-air as FS1) is an American pay television television channel, channel owned by the Fox Sports (United States), Fox Sports Media Group, a unit of Fox Corporation. FS1 airs an array of live sporting events, including Majo ...

and subsequently became involved romantically.

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 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 21st-century Slovenian sportsmen Slovenian people of Serbian descent Basketball players from Maribor