Adrian Fedkiw
Everything is starting to come together.
Dario Saric is officially a Philadelphia 76er.
It's official. Dario Saric is a Sixer. #PHILAfirst
[ ✍🏼 » https://t.co/dhTTAC84PT ] pic.twitter.com/cU1RquZ2At
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 15, 2016
Join us in welcoming Dario Saric to the squad! #PHILAfirst pic.twitter.com/YFmkxv61uP
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 15, 2016
#️⃣9️⃣ #PHILAfirst pic.twitter.com/OGUm0yZ4Nv
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 15, 2016
The 6’10 forward arrived in Philly Thursday night and put the pen to paper on Friday.
Saric had until July 17th to decide whether he’d accept his player option with Anadolu Efus or make the move to the NBA. He has yet to play for the Sixers after being acquired in a draft-day trade from the Orlando Magic in 2014. Saric, who was teammates with No. 26 overall pick Furkan Korkmaz this past season, averaged 11.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while shooting 40.3 percent from 3.
A Croatian Daily newspaper reported in late June that Saric would join the team after the Olympic Qualifiers were over. Saric’s Croatian team did make it to Rio and the 22-year-old was named the MVP of the 2016 FIBA Qualifying Tournament in Turin.
Saric explained what positions he played in Europe and what he can bring to the table.
“In Europe, I played most of the time at the 4. A couple games I played the three. I think I can help on both positions, maybe post up some up players. I think I can make space in offense for other players. Place face(up) one-on-one, we’ll see,” he said.
And what about playing with No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons?
“I think we have similar skills. I think on the court, if he would play four, I would play three or I would play four, he would play three or he would play point guard, I would play another position, it doesn’t matter,” Saric said.
The Croatian believes it’s way too soon to compare him to legends from his country such as Toni Kukoc and Drazen Petrovic.
“I always say it’s stupid to compare me and Toni Kukoc,” he said. “One I day I want to come on that level of the player, I will work for that, but only god knows if I will come there or not. “
Sixers President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo had a few words to say about Saric as well.
“We know what he is basketball wise, he’s a well-rounded player. He’s really coming into his own at 22,” he said. “His game is really advanced to a level that we’re excited to see how it’s going to fit and translate at this level. But also as a young man, we’re talking about a mature young man at 22 who’s been through a lot. He’s played years of professional basketball, that’s going to bode well for his transition.”
Colangelo also praised Saric’s integrity.
“When he said he was going to come here in two years and when he told us just within the last couple of weeks, he told Brett Brown ‘coach I will be there and I will sign that contract.’ Here he is today and there was a lot of unknowns whether or not it would take place, but it did and again we’re thrilled and excited to have him here,” he said.
A smiling Saric admitted he was shocked to receive such a warm welcome by the Philadelphia fans at the airport on Thursday night.
“I was surprised a little bit, I didn’t know that will happen,” he said ” I’m very happy because of that.”