Croatian forward Dario Saric opened up about his future, saying he is eyeing a return to the EuroLeague after his nine-year stint in the NBA.
After nine years spent bouncing around seven different NBA teams, 31-year-old Croatian forward Dario Saric is targeting a return to the EuroLeague.
Dario Saric
Dario Saric
Dario Saric
MIN: 8.25
PTS: 1 (37.5%)
REB: 1.2
AS: 0.4
ST: 0
BL: 0
TO: 0.4
GM: 5
The captain of the Croatian national team, Saric appeared at the team's gathering ahead of the second window of qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup, where he opened up about his future.
Saric did not want to go into details but revealed that he is ultimately aiming to return to the EuroLeague, either by the end of this season or at the start of the next.
"I wouldn't go into details. It's certain that I expect to play in the EuroLeague. Whether that will be by the end of this season or next season is still open," Saric said, via Meridian Sport.
Credit Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
He also commented on rumors that he might return to play for his former club, Cibona Zagreb.
"My chapter with Cibona somehow closed in 2014, when we won the ABA League, although you can always say 'never say never.' When we talk about my future in the long term, a return to my hometown and trying to build a team there seems more likely, but that's also difficult to comment on from this position," Saric said.
"Right now I'm thinking about the EuroLeague, which realistically is the second step after the NBA. I'm focused on finding a team and a system in that environment that suits me and allows a short adjustment period, because everyone coming back from the NBA needs that. A different kind of basketball is played there, but I think this style suits me and that I could adapt. I'm looking forward to new challenges."
Reflecting on his NBA career, Saric said he is satisfied with it and now looks forward to the next chapter.
"Sometimes situations happen, like in my first year when Ben Simmons got injured. I got my chance, and after that, I couldn't quite secure a place in the starting lineup. That's something I'll think about after my career ends, because it's hard to be smart about it now," he said.
"It could certainly have gone better, but also worse. In any case, I'm satisfied, and what excites me now are other things in the future, the options that are coming. I'm 31 years old, and I hope I can still play at a good level, like in the EuroLeague. Right now I'm focused on the national team," Saric added.
List of Dario Saric's potential best EuroLeague landing destinations:
Support BasketNews so we could make even better content.
If you like our content, please click here and add us as your preferred source. It helps us a lot, and we are committed to delivering you the very latest basketball news.