Episode 1 - The Birth of a Dream
Follow the international hoops journey of Aleksandar “Sasha” Vujacic from the town of Maribor, Slovenia, to the big leagues of Europe and the United States. In this segment, Sasha’s parents reminisce about his early athleticism and passion for basketball.
Episode 2 - The Journey Begins
Sasha and his family recount the experience of living through their country’s war for independence. We also learn about Sasha’s two childhood heroes — his grandfather and Michael Jordan — and the first club where he played basketball at age 10.
Episode 3 - Growing Pains
Sasha describes the tough decisions he had to make as a young man. Leaving home at 14 to play for Hopsi in Polzela and then Snaidero in Udine, Italy, Sasha encountered new cultures, loneliness and exhaustion. But he was determined to pursue his dream.
Episode 4 - Mission Accomplished
At 16, Sasha became Italy’s youngest professional player. Known for his speed, hard work and serious talent, he was beloved in Udine and attracted the attention of NBA scouts. Sasha tells us what it was like to be drafted by the Lakers and to achieve his lifelong goal.
Director’s Commentary
Sasha reconnects with J.D. Pruess, the Director/Producer of “Before the Bigs,” to reflect on the making of his full-length biography more than two years after its production.
February 25th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Maribor’s wine country…[?!?]
I’m SO there.
:]
February 26th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
great idea to post this on the site!!!
February 27th, 2009 at 1:32 am
This is an incredible video. Great idea to put it on the internet where we can go back to it and show it to our kids what hard work, luck and good family will bring to good people who focus and work hard. Quality of video is amazing at full screen size - the best quality of video I have seen on the Internet when video is enlarged to cover your entire screen. My favorite photo is photo of Sasha with toy guy at the outbreak of war in his country. Good idea to outline someones journey via video like this. - Carlos
February 27th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Sasha has been lucky to live in such nice places, wine country and the beach! Maribor is know for its Chardonnays!
February 27th, 2009 at 11:04 am
I absolutely love this! People are just born passionate. His mom is so beautiful!
February 28th, 2009 at 4:02 am
Very inspiring! I am glad that Sasha pressed through and had his goal in mind, I sincerely wish him the best. I am glad that he made to the NBA, now he brings joy to us when we see him play! It is so amazing that he would share his story with his fans. I will be cheering for him with more passion now. He is truly blessed to have his family’s support and love.
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:35 am
SASHA HOPE YOU READ THIS
Hey man 1st of all congratulations for making it to the NBA. This is a great story man i have a story of my own about soccer but the difference is that I didnt make it. But its ok I think that everything happens for a reason. But promise me something man “YOU GUYS GOTTA BE THE 2009 CHAMPIONS”. I believe in you guys man Im a LAKERS fan to death. LETS GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!
March 3rd, 2009 at 8:01 pm
What a powerful story. What an amazing website. What an incredible video. Machine has created amazing internet marketing machine - rivaling the NBA itself. What an amazing dude…
Sasha - tell people who build you this website to create another video titled “Sasha’s Girlfriends - From Europe to USA” - that would be awesome!
March 4th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Omg! they show this like mostly every week in FSN, and my brothers always change it and never let me watch it, But know I can see it yes lol.
March 5th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
I am back for 2nd time watching this video. I like to have few beers before I watch it and then I watch and I fantasize that this is my life story. I know it is a looser thing to say, but I don’t care. This is AWEEEEESOOOMMME! I don’t know what is better - the video or the website…together it is the best thing on the web….thank you Sasha for sharing this..
March 5th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
i love you sash
March 6th, 2009 at 12:40 am
AWW i have this recorded some where on vhs lol. i love this story.
March 12th, 2009 at 2:29 am
VSE JE RES(…its all truth!…)
March 19th, 2009 at 2:30 am
You are a nice guy, and a passionate player Sasha. Now all yo need to do is start knocking down some shots in the games when it matters. You have pretty much stunk it up all season. You are a set shooter, please stop trying to create off 1 or 2 dribbles, it’s not your game. Go back to setting up and knocking down that shot. Also, keep up your defensive intensity, but please stop getting in a players jersey 30 feet from the basket when your team has no fouls left..so annoying. But anyways, I still support you and hope you win it all. Go Lakers
April 6th, 2009 at 12:00 am
I can’t believe quality of this website. I have been on it for 30 minutes and there are always new things to learn about Sasha. Incredibly well done….
April 8th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Ciao-Prego ritorni con la vostra famiglia per visitare ancora il museo di sport– persino la stanza di lavanderia! Inoltre, dica ciao di Chuck.
Acclamazioni, Penny Lee & Fritatta
April 21st, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Inspiring! This is what a true athlete whom young adults can be inspired from. It is not often to see such an authentic soul who is humbled by his achievements. This is my first visit to Sasha’s website, and I thank him for making such effort to share his personal stories and family with his fans on his website here. Now I know why I always sensed there was something more to Sasha’s magickal energy watching him play Basketball. So often, I have found myself having such interest in his time on court and watching how his energy brings such a positive vibe to his other team members. His personal story here with his family, friends and his determination reflects a great character for the NBA. When TV and News often focuses on the gossip and negative influences surrounding Pro Basketball players, It is awesome to see that Sasha is so personable, is grateful from his achievements and continues to improve his game. It was great to see you have your Game last week. Keep knockin down those shots!
May 23rd, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Anything that has something to do with aleksandar(Sasha) is just the freakin best…(Personally I think that you’re the best player on the team).Im just sooo happy they finally have an abolutely ADORABLE player on the team.You’re the reason I even like to watch basketball now.I just cannot wait to meet you one day Mr.Vujacic!….Gotta go the game is on.By the way you look great
keep it up babe!
May 23rd, 2009 at 7:19 pm
ummm.Im kinda lost right now is my comment not suppose to appear on here??? Cause thats what it looks like..
Or does Sasha have to read it and THEN it does?(omfg hope he likes it if he does)
June 1st, 2009 at 7:52 pm
omg! u’re SOOO handsome!!
June 8th, 2009 at 6:13 am
…thats my bro..:)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) …….awsomeeee viddeeooo…:)
June 23rd, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Thatz my boy…………….Awesome video.
June 26th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Hi Sasha this Jose Ma. from Manila Philippines. I am your avid fan here in manila and also a die hard fan of Lakers since I was a grade school student. I wish you could send me a reply.
More power to your basketball career.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:15 am
Sasha I am going to write a poem about this hope you like it!
July 9th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
also Sasha before you say what you think just remember I need you to review it so that it fits it
but only if you don’t mind doing me a small favor!
September 21st, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Great video - Sasha we are all proud of you even today- Good Luck in upcoming games.
December 30th, 2009 at 8:27 am
hey Sasha anche io sono di Udine e dell’ambiente snaidero, dopo aver visto questo video ne sono molto orgoglioso.. grazie Sasha…
February 8th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
interesting how all slovenians speak serbian language…
February 11th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Inspirational.
May 20th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Hi, Sasha I have a 3year old daughter her name is Lexy and she was diagnosed with ecsema she is being treated with alot of medications and she has been given alot of prescriptions that acctually don’t work. she has been suffering this dry spots on her legs and arms as well on her face she is also getting them on her head. I would like to know If one of the parent’s that read this page if they acctually get some kind of medication that works well for their children if they can contact me through my email address. I really apreciate what youre doing for these kids that have this condition. thank you very much sasha..
May 29th, 2010 at 11:24 pm
HI Sasha I dont know if you remember me from the Laker Fiesta in 2008 I was with my grandpa I had a pink camera and a green notebook well I just wanted to say im your #1 FAN WELL BYE
June 1st, 2010 at 12:10 am
Sasha Vujacic
Here’s to the Celtics taking it to the Lakers and to ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE! Although I am no fan of Boston, that whole “enemy of my enemy is my friend” thing rings true here. Hopefully they can take care of business. I was at gm 6 in PHX and thought what you did was pretty unsportsmanlike and deserving of the flagrant 1 you received. Hopefully the front office doesn’t rescind it but I can’t say I’d be surprised if they did. Maybe you’re upset because your named Sasha or because you will never quite reach the level that Dragic is capable of reaching, I dont know, but calling Dragic a low human being is laughable and I think you know it. In a way I want to thank you for doing it however because it was what the crowd needed and it got Dragic going, and we almost pulled it out. Consider your team lucky that Kobe hit some clutch shots otherwise gm 7 would have been very much a reality. All I know is although you and Dragic may be from the same country, you are worlds apart in terms of talent. Good luck getting minutes in the finals and understand that although you may be on a team that wins a championsip, that does not make you a champion.
June 3rd, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Hi Sasha. How come you don’t do anything? all you do is sit on the bench with your dong in your hands rubbing away…why do you get paid again?