By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Sergio de Larrea talked about joining the Dallas Mavericks during preseason media day on Friday, breaking down his move from Valencia to the NBA.
The 20-year-old playmaker, drafted 25th overall in June, spoke about learning from Kyrie Irving and teaming up with fellow Spaniard Santi Aldama.
“Yes, for sure,” he said when asked if he had spoken with Irving about adjusting to the NBA. “He’s a leader, at the end. He’s trying to teach what he has done until now.”
“He is trying to teach the new guys, to all the guys that are there. It’s perfect to have him to learn and to try to improve my game in that way,” he added.
Adjusting to the pace
For a young guard, having a veteran voice in the locker room is a massive advantage. Having a familiar face around makes moving across the world even easier.
“It’s incredible to have him here. He’s helping me a lot with the transition. I know him from the last three years,” he said on Aldama. “We built a great relationship. I think we can also build good chemistry in the game. He’s a very good shooter. I can find him in good spots. I think we can build up this chemistry as we built in the past in the national team. So, I’m very happy to have him here. For sure, he’s a veteran. He can help with a lot of things, to understand the game and understand the things that are happening here.”
Floor vision and distribution
The physical speed of the NBA is often the toughest hurdle for European rookies. However, the Valladolid native believes his time in Spain prepared him well for an up-tempo style.
“I think it fits very well,” he said. “This past year in Valencia, we used to play that fast. So, I think I’m a little bit used to it. Probably here it’s faster. But I’m comfortable playing that style of game, trying to play fast, a lot of possessions, trying to shoot the best shot possible, but not in the end, in the first eight seconds. So, I’m very, very comfortable with that.”
At 6’6″, De Larrea brings great size to the backcourt. He wants to use that height to orchestrate the offense, find open shooters, and keep his teammates in rhythm.
“I think it can help to put the ball, for sure, on the wide, open three, or the open player, but also trying to put the ball on the players that have to have the ball or that are in a good moment or having a great night,” he answered when asked how his playmaking skills translate to Dallas. “I think my passing skills can help us to win some games.”
Following the Spanish masters
Growing up, De Larrea watched the golden generation of Spanish point guards. He studied their games closely, even if he eventually grew taller than all of them.
“Ricky [Rubio], Jose [Calderon], also Sergio Rodriguez,” he named his idols. “When I was young, I tried to be like them, but my size… right now, I’m taller than them. But yes, I tried to take a little bit of everything, to try to have the most complete package. They were very important for me when I was young, and right now, too.”
The Mavs are preparing for an international trip to Macao for two exhibition matches against the Houston Rockets. They will then return to the American Airlines Center to host two more games before opening the 2026–27 Regular Season on October 21 in Houston.
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