Sasha Vezenkov Welcomes Rival Nigel Hayes-Davis to PAO

The two dominant EuroLeague power forwards will now face off in the Olympiacos-Panathinaikos rivalry.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Sasha Vezenkov, the star power forward for Olympiacos Piraeus, had a simple one-word reaction to the news that rival Nigel Hayes-Davis had joined Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens: "Welcome." The two players are considered among the most dominant power forwards in the EuroLeague in recent years, and they will now face off in one of European basketball's fiercest rivalries.

Why it matters

The Olympiacos-Panathinaikos rivalry is one of the biggest in European basketball, with the two Greek powerhouses battling for domestic and continental supremacy. The addition of Hayes-Davis to the Panathinaikos roster sets up a tantalizing matchup between him and Vezenkov, who will now go head-to-head as the leaders of their respective teams.

The details

After returning from the NBA, Nigel Hayes-Davis signed a lucrative deal to join Panathinaikos. Following Olympiacos' Greek Cup quarterfinal win, Vezenkov was asked about his new rival arriving in Athens. The Bulgarian national team star had just one word in response: "Welcome." The two players could meet on the court for the first time this weekend in the Greek Cup final, if both teams make it that far.

  • Vezenkov's one-word reaction came after Olympiacos' Greek Cup quarterfinal win on February 18, 2026.
  • Hayes-Davis joined Panathinaikos after returning from the NBA.

The players

Sasha Vezenkov

The star power forward for Olympiacos Piraeus and a member of the Bulgarian national team, Vezenkov is considered one of the most dominant players in the EuroLeague in recent years.

Nigel Hayes-Davis

The power forward has returned to Europe after a stint in the NBA and signed a lucrative deal to join Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, one of Olympiacos' biggest rivals.

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What they’re saying

“Welcome”

— Sasha Vezenkov (SDNA)

What’s next

The two players could meet on the court for the first time this weekend in the Greek Cup final, if both Olympiacos and Panathinaikos make it that far.

The takeaway

The addition of Nigel Hayes-Davis to the Panathinaikos roster sets up a tantalizing matchup between him and Sasha Vezenkov, the leaders of their respective teams in one of European basketball's fiercest rivalries. Fans can look forward to seeing the two dominant power forwards go head-to-head as they battle for domestic and continental supremacy.