Aleksandar Nikolov (volleyball)

In this Bulgarian name, the patronymic is Vladimirov and the family name is Nikolov.

Aleksandar Nikolov
Nikolov during the 2022 U20 European Championship
Personal information
Full nameAleksandar Vladimirov Nikolov
NicknameAleks
NationalityBulgarian
Born (2003-11-30) 30 November 2003
Tours, France
Height2.07 m (6 ft 9 in)
Weight100 kg (220 lb)
Spike352 cm (11 ft 7 in)
Block333 cm (10 ft 11 in)
College / UniversityLong Beach State University
Volleyball information
PositionOutside hitter
Current clubCucine Lube Civitanova
Number11
Career
YearsTeams
2019–2021
2021–2022
2022–		Levski Sofia
Long Beach State
Cucine Lube Civitanova
National team
2020–2021
2021–2023
2021–		 Bulgaria U19
 Bulgaria U21
 Bulgaria
Honours
Men's volleyball
Representing  Bulgaria
FIVB World Championship
2025 Philippines

Aleksandar Vladimirov Nikolov (Bulgarian: Александър Владимиров Николов; born 30 November 2003) is a Bulgarian professional volleyball player who plays as an outside hitter for Cucine Lube Civitanova and the Bulgaria national team.[1][2]

Career

Club

Nikolov started his club career at Levski Sofia in Bulgaria.[3] He joined Long Beach State in 2021, leading the team to the 2022 NCAA national championship final where they lost to Hawaii.[4] In his freshman year, Nikolov was named the National Player of the Year.[5]

Following a successful first season at Long Beach, Nikolov signed for professional club Cucine Lube Civitanova in Italy. [3]

National team

Nikolov has played for Bulgaria's various youth teams, leading his respective teams to several medal finishes at youth and junior world and European championships.[3]

In 2021, Nikolov made his official debut with the senior men's national team.[3]

Personal life

Nikolov is the son of Vladimir and Maya Nikolov. Both parents played professional volleyball, with Vladimir playing nearly two decades with the Bulgarian national team. He was born in Tours, France, while his father was playing for the French club Tours VB.[6]

Nikolov has three siblings, including fellow Bulgarian national team player Simeon Nikolov.[6]

Honours

College

Club

Continental

Domestic

  • 2022–23 Italian SuperLega, with Cucine Lube Civitanova
  • 2024–25 Italian SuperLega, with Cucine Lube Civitanova
  • 2024–25 Italian Cup, with Cucine Lube Civitanova

International

Individual awards

References

  1. ^ "Alex Nikolov Announces Decision to Play Professionally". longbeachstate.com. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  2. ^ "L'enfant prodige bulgaro Alex Nikolov per una Lube giovane e affamata!". legavolley.it (in Italian). 9 July 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d "Nikolov and Lube shake hands for another four years". volleyballworld.com. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  4. ^ "Long Beach State Battled, but Fell to Hawaii in Straight Sets in the National Championship Match". longbeachstate.com. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  5. ^ Zamora, Lindy. "Alex Nikolov Makes History, Becomes First Freshman Ever to Be Named AVCA National Player of the Year". longbeachstate.com. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  6. ^ a b "The Next Big Thing in Volleyball: Alexander Nikolov". CEV. 13 March 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
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