De Larrea's FIBA Debut Falls Flat for Mavericks Prospect
Sergio De Larrea, the Mavericks' first-round pick, struggled in Spain's FIBA World Cup qualifier against Portugal. He scored no points on 0-for-1 shooting, with two assists and three turnovers in 11 minutes, as Spain lost 95-89. De Larrea will look to bounce back in Spain's next game against Greece.
De Larrea entered the FIBA qualifier after a promising Summer League stretch in Las Vegas, where he averaged 8.8 assists per game across four appearances, including back-to-back games with 12 and 14 dimes. The Mavericks moved up five spots in the draft to select him, and his 6'6" frame gives him prototypical size for an NBA backcourt role.
Spain's loss to Portugal was compounded by the absence of Santi Aldama, who remains sidelined following March knee surgery but is expected back for training camp. De Larrea is the only Dallas player participating in these qualifiers, as Zaccharie Risacher prepares for the season and Tarik Biberovic was left off Turkey's roster. Spain faces Greece on Monday.
This performance could shape early expectations for De Larrea as he transitions to NBA play in September, potentially influencing how quickly the Mavericks integrate him into their rotation. Fans and analysts may temper enthusiasm from his Summer League showing, though a single qualifier game offers limited data. His development could matter for Dallas' backcourt depth this season, and how he responds against Greece may signal his readiness for the league's physical demands.