Dario Saric was predicted to be a top ten pick in the NBA draft before he signed a 3-year deal to stay in Europe. This is the second year in a row he has decided to drop out of the draft. Watch the video above to see an interview with the Croatian star.
Breaking: Dario Saric has agreed in principle to a three year deal with Anadolu Efes a source close to Saric told http://t.co/KQ6fwudeVT.
— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 23, 2014
Here’s what you need to know about him:
1. He Withdrew From the NBA Draft in 2013 and 2014
#NBADraft prospect Dario Saric signs 3-year deal to stay in Europe (via @chadfordinsider).
http://t.co/COsxZdYkYr pic.twitter.com/Vbta6uvRVM
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 23, 2014
Daric signed a 4-year contract with Cibona at the end of 2012.
By 2013, he was scouted heavily and expected to be a top pick in 2013 draft as a 19-year-old.
Two days after he stated he would participate in the draft, he withdrew in order to play for Cibona for another year and gain more experience before hitting the big league. He changed his mind again a few weeks later and wanted to participate in the draft, but once again withdrew.
He might be the most indecisive newcomer to attempt to be drafted.
On Monday, June 23, 2014, Saric withdrew from the draft for the second year in a row with just three days till draft night (June 26). Saric decided to sign a 2-year deal with Turkey’s Anadolu Efes, the most dominant team in the country.
This last minute decision is a real bummer for the NBA, giving teams a smaller field of draft stars to choose from.
2. The Orlando Magic Wanted Him
Orlando would have received many benefits from drafting the Croatian powerhouse. They could have kept him on the roster for an extra year so that he could learn the ropes of the NBA and then decide if he deserves a second contract. By the time Orlando’s team is built up, Saric could have been a valuable piece of it.
Anadolu Efes Istanbul will pay around $1.2 million as buyout to @kk_cibona to get Dario Saric
— Sportando (@sportando) June 23, 2014
3. He Was the MVP of the Adriatic League
Saric is a standout in the European leagues and finished the season as MVP with 23 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 blocks.
Watch the video above to see Saric’s 2014 Scouting video for the draft by ProBasketball Analysis.
He has been heavily scouted also because of his high percentage of shots being jump shots (45 percent) and he has been showing huge improvement from previous years.
4. His Father Didn’t Want Him to Go to the NBA
Executives were confused when Dario Saric pulled out of the draft. Now, his agent says Dario's father is to blame: http://t.co/gvA4sgv0UW
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) March 29, 2014
Saric’s father Predrag previously played professionally for 15 years representing Crotian club Sibenka alongside some of the most famous European ballers including Drazen Petrovic in the ’80s. For most of last year, the father and son were not on speaking terms due to huge disagreements involving Saric’s choices for his future in basketball.
His father is considered his harshest critic and is known partially to be the reason for his past two withdrawals from the NBA Draft. His father claimed that Saric “isn’t ready for the physical toll of the league.”
5. He Turned Pro At 15
Saric has been scouted by European clubs since he was 11-years-old and signed a contract to turn pro at the age of 15.
