Dario Šarić, Croatia: Bio, facts, quotes
3 min readDario Šarić was born on April 8, 1994, in Šibenik, Croatia, a city known for its rich basketball tradition. Growing up, Dario was heavily influenced by his father, Predrag Šarić, who was a former professional basketball player. This early exposure to the sport set the foundation for Dario’s future career. From a young age, he showed a natural talent for basketball, often playing on the courts of Šibenik with his peers.
Table of Contents
Dario Šarić, Profile
- Name: Dario Šarić
- Date of Birth: April 8, 1994
- Place of Birth: Šibenik, Croatia
- Height: 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm)
- Weight: 225 pounds (102 kg)
- Position: Power Forward / Center
- Current Team: Denver Nuggets
Early Career and European Clubs
Šarić began his professional career at the tender age of 15 with Zrinjevac in 2009. His potential was evident, and he quickly moved to larger clubs. By the 2010-11 season, he was playing for KK Zagreb, where he won the prestigious Città di Roma EuroLeague tournament, earning the MVP award after a standout performance in the finals. His time in Croatia also included a stint with KK Dubrava and later KK Cibona, where he further honed his skills.
In 2012, Šarić signed with Cibona Zagreb, where he achieved significant success. He was named the MVP of the Adriatic League and the Croatian League finals, highlighting his growing influence in European basketball. In 2014, Šarić moved to Anadolu Efes in Turkey, where he continued to impress, becoming the youngest player to win the EuroLeague MVP of the Month award in November 2014.
NBA Career
Šarić’s NBA journey began when he was selected 12th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, who immediately traded his rights to the Philadelphia 76ers. However, Šarić chose to stay in Europe for a couple more years before joining the 76ers in 2016. His rookie season was impressive, earning him Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors twice and a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
After two seasons with the 76ers, Šarić was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2018. His time in Minnesota was brief, as he was traded to the Phoenix Suns in 2019. With the Suns, Šarić played a key role, particularly noted for his rebounding prowess and versatility on the court. He later joined the Oklahoma City Thunder and, most recently, the Golden State Warriors.
Dario Sarić, Croatia: National Team Achievements
Šarić has been a standout player for the Croatian national teams at various age levels. He first gained international attention by leading Croatia to the gold medal at the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, where he was named MVP. He continued to excel, winning another gold at the 2012 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship and earning MVP honors again.
Šarić has also represented Croatia in senior competitions, including EuroBasket tournaments and the 2016 Olympic Games, where Croatia reached the quarterfinals.
Key Achievements
- EuroLeague MVP of the Month (November 2014)
- Adriatic League MVP (2014)
- Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month (February and March 2017)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (2017)
- FIBA Europe Young Men’s Player of the Year (2013, 2014)
Dario Šarić, Contract and Stats
Dario Šarić signed a 2 year , $10,594,400 contract with the Denver Nuggets, including $10,594,400 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $5,297,200.
Fot the latest informations about Dario Šarić contracts and earnings you can check hoopshype.com– By our opinion it is the best site for these kind of information.
For more detailed information on this player we advise you to check basketball-reference.com.
What Others Say About Him
Šarić is highly regarded by coaches, teammates, and analysts for his basketball IQ, versatility, and work ethic. Brett Brown, his coach at the 76ers, once praised his adaptability and team-first mentality. His peers often highlight his passing ability and court vision, which set him apart from many forwards in the league.
Notable Quotes
- “I always try to play with passion and heart. That’s how I was raised, to give everything for the team.” – Dario Šarić
- “Coming to the NBA was a dream come true, but I knew I needed to be ready. Staying in Europe helped me grow and mature as a player.” – Dario Šarić