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31 August, 2017
17 September
9 Dario Saric (CRO)
28/09/2016
News
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No ordinary 22-year-old Saric now in Philly

PHILADELPHIA (NBA/FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - Philadelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown has a very good idea of what Dario Saric will bring to the team this season when he makes his NBA bow.

He's seen him play in enough games to know that the 22-year-old Croatia star will score, rebound, pass and block shots. Saric is just a tough, all-round player.

If Brown was worried that Saric might be on edge and worried if he'd fit in after leaving the old continent for the United States, he need not have. Saric is clearly comfortable in his new surroundings.

What Brown, the former Australia Boomers coach, will know is that if a player can not only have success with his national team in important tournaments but be a leader in those sides, as Saric was this summer, then he's going to be a huge asset.

Saric was borderline amazing when he led Croatia to victory at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Turin. His team had to beat a very good Greece team and then hosts Italy to win the tournament and qualify for the Olympics.

His performances earned the Sibenik-born star the honor as the OQT's MVP.

He continued to play at the same high level in Rio de Janeiro on his Olympic debut.

Saric averaged 11.8 rebounds, 6.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists as Croatia finished top of Group B in Rio.

"He just left Rio de Janeiro and represented his country, and he had one of the most unlikely wins in Italy to have Croatia beat Italy in Italy to qualify for the Olympic Games. And he featured in a prominent role throughout Rio de Janeiro." - Brown

When the fans look back at the highlights of the Olympics, they will see a lot of plays made by Saric. He came up with one defensive gem, a block of a Pau Gasol shot at the end of the game against Spain on the opening night, that preserved Croatia's 72-70 victory.

That play showed everyone what a complete player Saric is. He was solid on both ends of the floor all summer long.


Saric's block of Gasol at the death was one of the top plays of the Olympics

He had a 19-point, 10-rebound game next time out against Argentina.

"His basketball experiences are rich," Brown said. "He's not a kid. He's 22, but he's not a kid. He's played in the Euroleague. He's played in the Turkish national league, one of the top three leagues in the world.

"He just left Rio de Janeiro and represented his country, and he had one of the most unlikely wins in Italy to have Croatia beat Italy in Italy to qualify for the Olympic Games. And he featured in a prominent role throughout Rio de Janeiro."

Saric was drafted a couple of summers ago but wanted to remain in Europe to improve his game and get stronger.

On the evidence of his performances with Croatia, he has improved in all respects. Saric is following in the footsteps of many Croatians to have played in the NBA. One of the most famous, Toni Kukoc, captured three NBA titles with the Bulls. He worked with Croatia's national team this summer.

"Toni, he told me for sure it will be hard for you when you come, but you must try to keep working day-by-day," Saric said.

The player is all smiles now. He has earned the opportunity to play in the NBA and is hopeful that everything will go well.

"Everything is better than what I expected," he said.

FIBA