76er Dario Saric is making the most of his rookie season
The power forward is a leading candidate for NBA rookie of the year
Dario Saric was groomed for these moments, and fans at the 76ers game Saturday were shown just how much the power forward means to the franchise.
On his 23rd birthday, the organization gave out Saric T-shirts as the Milwaukee Bucks visited the Wells Fargo Center on fan appreciation night.
This came one day after Saric was greeted by fans at the 7-Eleven store at 34th and Market Streets. He was there to promote Mountain Dew.
"I really appreciate the organization giving me the opportunity to be on a T-shirt," Saric said. "That really means a lot."
Saric may be living the Croatian dream as he follows the footsteps of the late Drazen Petrovic, Toni Kukoc, Gordan Giricek, and other Croatian players who have had NBA careers.
But he doesn't want to simply take up a roster spot. Saric is determined to become a key contributor in the league. That's why he signed a three-year contract with Anadolus Efes S.K. of the Turkish Basketball Super League a couple of days before the Sixers selected him in the 2014 NBA draft.
Saric spent two seasons adding weight and getting stronger with Anadolus Efes before getting bought out of the final year of his deal. He signed with the Sixers on July 15, 2016.
"I cannot remember how many NBA players we've had from Croatia," said Saric, whose parents were also basketball players. "They really have a good history here in the NBA.
"Of course, when you are playing good, and you are playing in the NBA, people are proud of you back in Croatia. Of course, you are proud because you made them happy."
The front-runner for NBA rookie of the year said he receives text messages from fans in his native country expressing their support. He joins Washington Wizards forward Bojan Bogdanovic; Orlando Magic swingmen Damjan Rudez and Mario Hezonja; Phoenix Suns post player Dragan Bender; and Los Angeles Lakers center Ivica Zubac as current Croatian NBA players.
There are 12 former NBA players from Croatia, and there are six Croatians drafted by NBA teams who did not play.
Saric is regarded as one of the best - if not the best - Croatian players of his class.
"Yeah, I was the one." Saric said. "People always talked about me . . . because my team did good in tournaments, and we always had good games."
Saric led Croatia to the gold medal in the FIBA Europe under-16 championship in 2010. Two seasons later, he spearheaded his country's team to the gold medal in the under-18 championship. Saric was named MVP of both tournaments.
Saric also earned the FIBA Europe young men's player of the year award in 2013 and 2014. The award goes to the best European player 22 or younger.
Now he's a favorite to add an NBA rookie of the year award to his trophy case. He was the Eastern Conference's rookie of the month in February and March and led all qualified rookies in scoring average (12.8 points) and total rebounds (499) heading into Saturday.
In addition to excelling on the court, he's also doing a fair job of communicating. But that was all part of the plan. In preparation for the NBA, he took English in high school. As a senior, he and a tutor spoke English twice a week for an hour at his house.
So his ability to adjust - on and off the court - shouldn't come as a surprise. Saric was groomed for this moment.
@PompeyOnSixers