CRO - Uber-talent Saric adapting game to top level

LJUBLJANA (EuroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Growing up through the Croatian youth national team ranks many considered Dario Saric a point forward. But the 19-year-old is showing wisdom beyond his years at EuroBasket 2013 in adapting his style to where it will be in the future.

"I appreciate it being here and playing with these players. It's a big experience for me. It's a big confidence boost for me for other games," said Saric, who has helped Croatia secure their place in the Quarter-Finals in Slovenia by averaging 5.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 0.9 assists in 17 minutes a game.

For as good a ball-handler as Saric is - he averaged 4.9 assists (along with 20.3 points and 11.2 rebounds) this summer as an All-Tournament Team selection at the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship - the senior Croatia national team do not need to have the Sibenik native as their distributor.

And Saric has fully recognized that in his second stint with the senior side - he played in six EuroBasket 2013 qualifiers last summer and averaged 9.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists.

"I am learning to try to play without the ball, play like a worker and not guy who creates. I must see all the players on the court," he explained.

"It was hard at beginning because I used to have the ball in my hands all the time, and now I am playing without the ball. But now it's my position, and I must play it like that."

Saric is definitely drawing rave reviews from his teammates.

"He is only 19, but lots of people already know everything about him," said Croatia veteran Luka Zoric.

"He's one of the most talented players his age. He understands the game very well. But first of all he's a great guy. He's smart. He listens to what the older players tell him to help.

"He will be a great talent. But he already plays like he's 30."

Krunoslav Simon gave a glowing tribute too of the 2.06m forward.

"What can I say about him? You saw everything. He's 19 years old, he's playing with us like he's here 10 years. He's great.

"He just must do everything like he's doing now and then in the future he will for sure be a great, great player."

Finland coach Henrik Dettmann gave high praise to Saric after watching him collect eight points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block in 20 minutes of action against his team.

"This is a young man who we all will hear a lot about. Of course you can see that he's still young and that expectations are high. But I would give him a little bit of time to develop his game and grow," he said.

"Probably the only advice you can give to this guy is try to look at the characters of the best in this game and follow their game because the character will decide how good he's going to become."

Saric's coach with Croatia, Jasmin Repesa, did not shy away from calling the youngster the future of the national team.

"It's very simple for him. Game by game, he is getting more confidence, playing better and better," he said.

"I am really satisfied with his improving. I believe he will continue. He has a lot of talent. He can definitely make a difference on this level. It doesn't matter that he's 19 years old.

"Definitely, he is the future of our basketball. And he's ready to get an important role in our team."

With or without the ball in his hands.

For full and in-depth coverage of EuroBasket 2013, go to the official website http://www.eurobasket2013.org.

FIBA