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“Sergio is playing exceptionally well, especially in passing and creating plays,” Spanish National Team coach, Chus Mateo, told NBA reporter and friend of the site, Toni Canyameras.
The Spanish point guard out of Valencia averaged 9.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, five assists and averaged 66.7 percent on three-pointers (on three shots per game) this preseason. Unsustainable, but nonetheless impressive for a rookie.
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“I think he’s a player who also has to adapt to a pace that, so to speak, is different from what he’s used to with players who are very physical and probably have superior athletic ability. But his size and his understanding of the game also help him create many opportunities for his own team,” Mateo said.
The 6’6 rookie has surprised a lot of people with his passing during the preseason, making it look easy to create and connect with his teammates despite playing in a physically tougher NBA environment than where he comes from.
But there’s a lot to work on for the rookie, too.
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“He’s shooting well, but more with his feet on the ground,” Chus Mateo pointed out.
“I think that perhaps little by little he’ll manage to shoot more in the pick and roll after the dribble, which is perhaps one of the areas he can improve. He’s a genuinely intelligent player both on and off the court,” the Spanish coach said.
Mavs coach Dusty May has also praised De Larrea’s basketball IQ and most recently his unique ability to shine under pressure.
“He’s a gamer, especially when the lights are on. He has the ‘it’ factor. We’ve been very pleased with him,” May said after the first preseason games.
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Spanish NBA reporter, Toni Canyameras, notes that he believes that Sergio De Larrea has a good chance of becoming the first option in the rotation after Kyrie Irving. This echoes what the Mavs have said previously in the season, and how they played him through Summer League, as well as the preseason.
“A knack and feel” for the game and that it’s “innate”, “something you can’t teach”, as Mavs Summer League head coach Joe Boylan described it back in July. Already back then, De Larrea’s ability to scan and pass…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/spanish-national-team-coach-pleased-125654874.html
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Publish date : 2026-10-21 12:56:00
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