Speaking to the media on Friday for the first time since his signed with Mavericks in July, guard/forward Tarik Biberavich said that he wanted to go to the NBA for a long time, writes Jonny Askovnis of Eurohoops.
“I knew (CEO) Mike Schmitz since I was very young because he’s like one of the best people to scout players“, Biberavich explained.He knows everything about European players. So that was kind of a comfort zone that we had. If the Mavericks (acquired) his rightsI spoke with (President) Mr. Maasai (Udiris) and Mike Schmitz. We were on the same page.
“It has always been my dream to play in the NBA and the Dallas Mavericks organization stepped up and gave me that chance..”
A former second-round pick, Bieberovic has spent the last eight years playing for Turkish side Fenerbahce, helping the club win the Euroleague title in 2025 and winning several domestic championships in recent years. The 6’7″ wing is known as a top-level shooter, posting a slash line of .524/.419/.952 in 41 EuroLeague contests during the 2025/26 season. For the season, he averaged 11.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 24.3 minutes per game.
Bieberovic said he was encouraged to join the NBA by former NBA players who now play overseas, according to Askovnis.
“The players who were here, who played in the NBA, and now they play in the EuroLeague, they all told me that I should go to the league, because the game is mainly made for players like me, who can shoot, who can shoot from the floor and who can defend, and energy and enthusiasm“, said Biberavich.”I actually liked the way they talked to me because I felt empowered and enlightened to take this step.”
Here’s more on the Mavs:
- Small forward Zachary Ryzaker excited for a fresh start in Dallas after spending his first two seasons in Atlanta Askovnis. In 2024, it became the first number traded to the Mavs in July. “It was good” Rizacher said of the trade.”I learned a lot in my two seasons. Just being able to play at a high level and compete every night was great. … Just being able to be yourself for the team. It will be very important for me. I know what I can do. Like I said, very excited. I’m in the right position to be good, to be great.”
- For now Saint Aldama continues to recover from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, he said the trend is in his positive direction, Askovnis writes for Eurohoops. The Spanish forward is another offseason addition, acquired from Memphis in the same deal that included Bieberovic’s rights. “I think it’s more on the medical side“, Aldama said when asked if he would be a full participant in training camp, which opened on Saturday.”I feel better every day. I’m doing a bunch of things on the court right now, so yeah, I’m excited to get there every day, get better every day and be 100% as soon as possible.”
- Aldama’s media session also covered the Spaniard Sergio de LaureaThe 25th overall pick in the June draft. Aldama believes de Laurea’s game fits the pace-and-space style of the NBA, and the 20-year-old guard agrees, as Askovnis relay. “I think it fits very well“, – said de Laurea. “Last year in Valencia we played so fast. So, I think I’m a little used to it. It’s probably faster here. But I’m comfortable playing that style of game, trying to play fast, have a lot of possession, try to make the best shot, but not at the end, in the first eight seconds. So, I’m very, very comfortable with that.”
