Vezenkov crowned MVP in the Tipoff Event!

The 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four is officially underway! The 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four Tipoff Event got the Final Four started with some big news: Sasha Vezenkov of Olympiacos Piraeus has been officially crowned the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague MVP. Vezenkov has been chosen as the competition's most valuable player after making it to the All-EuroLeague First Team in each of the two seasons.

Vezenkov was in an auditorium at Zalgirio Arena, and thought he would be interviewed by Sofia del Prado, and found an audience wearing masks with his face. He found out some of them were his parents and sister, who were asked to join him on the stage and break the news. Euroleague Basketball president Dejan Bodiroga handed him the MVP trophy. Vezenkov was taken to the Fan Zone, joining the tip-off event hosted by Joe Arlauckas, and was received with a big ovation.

"I want to thank everybody who voted for me, and the whole organization of Olympiacos," Vezenkov said. "The presidents, the coach, the whole coaching staff, each player. We were 10 months together to reach the Final Four and be here."

"It is a big honor and I am really happy but for me, nothing will change. I will be the same person every day, try to improve, try to work hard, try to make my team successful, because we play a team sport in which if your team is not at the highest level, you cannot be at the highest level. For me, this will be a motivation to keep working hard, to prove myself that this year is not just one year, that I can be consistent. In sports, consistency is the most difficult thing," he added. "I hope this is just the beginning."