By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following Wednesday’s NBA Preseason 2026 meeting with the New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks rookie Sergio de Larrea reflected on his transition to the league and the origin of his nickname.
The 20-year-old combo guard confirmed that ‘Larry’ stems from his surname. “They used to call my father that too,” he shared during his postgame press conference, adding that he was known as ‘mini-Larry’ in his youth.
Now, coaches and friends across Europe use it. “When Santi came here, tried to implement my nickname Larry here, and that’s the reason that they called me Larry,” the Valladolid native noted.
A major bright spot of de Larrea’s adjustment is his chemistry with fellow rookie Tobi Lawal. Averaging 10.0 points and 5.3 assists per Preseason contast, he praised the British power forward’s leaping ability.
“It’s very fun. He grabs the ball super high,” de Larrea said. “Even when I can’t pass from him low, he’s telling me, ‘Show me your love.’”
Lawal, who is averaging 11.3 points, returned the compliment. He noted that the tall playmaker ‘sees the whole floor’ and ‘makes everyone on the floor better’. “He’s able to know the next play before it happens sometimes,” added the London native.
Head coach Dusty May acknowledged that de Larrea is ‘making a case’ for the regular-season rotation. “He’s shot it very well,” he stressed, dismissing five turnovers as a lack of ball-handlers around him. “We’re very, very pleased with his progression so far.”
Meanwhile, Spanish forward Santi Aldama, recovering from March knee surgery, is ‘getting much, much closer’ but will miss Friday’s exhibition finale against the Atlanta Hawks in American Airlines Center. Dallas opens the 2026–27 Regular Season opposite the Houston Rockets in Toyota Center next Wednesday.
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