No. Never said that. We have exactly one source where he explains anything related to Pokemon.
http://www.nowgamer.com/pokemon-in-super-smash-bros-how-theyre-selected/
I agree he can nearly pick what he wants- but he has stated that he must acquire the freedom with third parties to do anything he wants, essentially. There was a source recently posted to this, by oni I believe, regarding third party characters.
Please source this.
As far as I'm aware, Sakurai has said:
EDIT: The 'advertising' is actually an ad in the page I cited...but its so hilarious in where it is above, and fits so well as it stands, I could not correct it.
It is the most upsetting thing about Pokemon; though I wonder how much Sakurai pushes back to try to capture the essence of Pokemon. If only he would implement my trainer idea... ugh.
SuperSceptile15
The words above are, to my extensively attempted research, the most Sakurai has ever said in English on the matter of Pokemon (other than Greninja, specifically). Take from it what you will.
It does not explicitly mean that Pokemon cannot be chosen from past iterations, or if a new idea comes into his noggin. As far as what his statements mean to ME- he still based Greninja's moveset off of a design, and nothing else at all. He still has quite a number of liberties he could take, if he desired.
Sceptile is also going to be featured as Ash's Pokemon again, isn't he? I am unfortunately saddened by the likelihood that he will have Charizard/Greninja/Sceptile all in stow at once, and that this may become a thing for the character, completely screwing Squirtle and Bulbasaur (not that I actually watch the show now).
--I wrote a long article once purveying Sceptile in Smash. There was a whole Section regarding why Blaziken, the Blazing Chicken, is not a better option. It worded it better, but I do personally believe Blaziken inherently offers nothing that CF does not- even if they
could of course be different. Ultimately though, Ash doesn't have a Blaziken, which means it was never the most pushed/won't be now.
--I'm not a fan of TPC either, all fans have wanted is a free roaming RPG. Perhaps Pokken is a step in that direction regarding the fighting, but it is not satisfying as an MMO (as it is not one).