Basketball player Sasha Vujacic: return to the NBA

If every soldier dreams of general epaulettes, then a professional basketball player - about a career in elite clubs of the NBA. Not every European at the beginning of the journey manages to break into the main part of the overseas team. And to do this twice, after returning there after the age of thirty, can only be possessed by the game. Sasha Vujacic, the Slovenian defender known as Maria Sharapova's former boyfriend and the two-time NBA champion in the Lakers, has been protecting the colors of the New York Knicks since August 2015 with an annual contract of $ 1.35 million.

The beginning of a long way

Born in the family of basketball coach Vaso Vujacic in March 1984, Alexander (his full name) had no choice but to engage in life. Moreover, he became a tall sporting youngster, whose growth today is 201 cm. After playing for the Slovenian "Poljeel", and from sixteen years - the Italian "Udine", Sasha Vuyachich was drafted by the NBA in 2004. Los Angeles Lakers managers had the opportunity to watch a guy in the Chicago sports camp, where he impressed with his psychological preparation and excellent execution of free throws.

Under No. 27, Sasha was chosen precisely by the Lakers team as a rotation player. Six seasons he spent in her main lineup under the lead of one of the best in the history of the basketball association of coaches - Phil Jackson. It was for these years (2004-2010) that the peak of his sports career came, although the athlete was always in the shadow of Kobe Bryant, an outstanding attacking defender of the team. In 2009 and 2010, together with Bryant, Howard and Gasol in the T-shirt at number 18, he celebrated the victory in the NBA championship and Sasha Vuyachich.

Life Style: Maria Sharapova

By this time, parents with a brother and sister already lived in California, and the athlete himself - in Rodondo Beach. In the spring of 2009, Maria Sharapova, accompanied by Charles Ebersol, the television producer, the son of a well-known billionaire, whom Maria's father could not forget, did not understand how her daughter could exchange it for an "awkward basketball player" on one of the Lakers' stands on the platform. But by that time, Maria and Charles were no longer associated with romantic relationships, but between the beautiful tennis player and the NBA star ran a spark that began a strong and lasting relationship.

Behind their romance the whole world followed, rejoicing for Mary, on whose finger a ring in the cost of a quarter of a million dollars shone a year later. Sasha's proposal was made on all the canons for the anniversary of relations. The couple spent two more seasons together, planning a wedding and calling its date and place - November 10, 2012, the city of Istanbul. Why Istanbul? In 2010, Vuyachich came to the "New Jersey Nets", and with the departure of the "Lakers" from the post of head coach Phil Jackson accepted the proposal of the Turkish club, moving to Europe. His decision, he explained the desire to play, and not sit on the bench.

Reasons for parting

The obsession with basketball led Vuyachich to "Anadolu Efes", where his talent for player flashed new faces, but distanced him from Maria Sharapova, whom they had not seen for 10 months before parting. The girl complained that during this time he never appeared at home in the United States, and her tight schedule did not allow them to meet in Europe. At the US Open press conference in late summer 2012, Maria announced that since the spring she and the groom are no longer together. The sports world has already watched her new romance with tennis player Grigor Dimitrov.

"Sasha Vuyachich does not comment on his personal life any more, concentrating on a professional career. But the press leaked information that in 2013 he was withdrawn from the team "Anadolu Efes" because of a disciplinary violation.

Return to the NBA

Sasha Vujacic decides to return to the US: "Clippers" concludes a ten-day contract with him to check in the game. His physical form does not satisfy the coach, and again begins the European tour: Italy, Spain, again Turkey (this time, "Istanbul"). Here he spends the season 2014-2015, gaining an average of 15 points for the game, making 4.5 rebounds, giving 3.7 transfers to partners in 33 minutes of playing time on the field. Indicators are not an athlete who has changed the third decade.

By the will of fate, the great trainer Phil Jackson returned to the big sport, becoming president of the club "New York Knicks". The teacher and pupil reunited in the same team to teach the young players a winning spirit, dedication to the cause and a special scheme of attack, which was once mastered by the "leykers" and brought them luck in due time.