This Tuesday saw Jan Vesely join an elite group of players who have scored 4,000 points in the Euroleague. With his performance against Crvena Zvezda, Vesely reached this landmark after 370 matches over 14 seasons in Europe's top club basketball competition.
"It's incredible. It's really exciting to become part of history. I have been playing for a long time and I can hope to keep on going," said Vesely in an interview with Euroleague media.
Vesely made his debut in the Euroleague with Serbian side Partizan during the 2008/09 season. Over three seasons, he scored 418 points over 54 games before moving to the NBA in 2011. Upon returning to European basketball in 2014, Vesely signed with Fenerbahce, where he became one of the standout players, scoring 2,590 points across 222 matches. His time at Fenerbahce was highlighted by significant achievements, including winning the Euroleague title in 2017 and being named MVP of the tournament during the 2018/19 season.
Joining FC Barcelona in 2022, Vesely quickly made his mark, racking up 992 points to take him to the magical total of 4,000 points after just 94 games as part of the blaugrana. Vesely's offensive toolbox has expanded over the years, reflecting his adaptability as he ages and continues to compete at high levels.
Alluding to the evolution of his game, Vesely mentioned, "You can't dunk every ball after a pick and roll for 15 years, your body gets tired and it's tough. I decided to work on my free throws to feel more comfortable from the free throw line without worrying whether or not I was going to miss." He elaborated on how he has made strides to integrate mid-range shooting, stating, "Every year I work in the summer, but without focusing on 20 different things. I focus on the details to help me during the season. Every year I gain a little and now I feel comfortable shooting two-pointers from distance."
With this achievement, Vesely has become the sixth member of the exclusive club of players who have crossed the 4,000-point barrier. Presently, he sits behind Mike James, who leads with 4,830 points, and Nando De Colo with 4,618 points, as well as Vassilis Spanoulis with 4,455 points and FC Barcelona legend Juan Carlos Navarro with 4,152 points. The most recent addition prior to Vesely was Real Madrid's Sergio Llull, who now has 4,039 points.
Currently 34 years old, Jan Vesely holds a contract with FC Barcelona until 2026, and this season, he has showcased consistent performance metrics with averages of 10.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and a valuation of 13.8 per game. His balanced contributions continue to play a pivotal role for FC Barcelona as they seek success domestically and on the continental stage.
Vesely's milestone serves as both recognition of his accomplishments and motivation for continued improvement, showcasing the dedication required to perform at the highest levels of basketball for over a decade. With his eyes set on future achievements, Jan Vesely remains not only a key player for FC Barcelona but also one of the Euroleague's most respected veterans.
