According to FibaEurope.com, Dario Saric was presented with the 2013 FIBA Europe Young Men’s Player of the Year Award before Andolu Efes inaugural game of the season.

This was on the heels of Saric averaging 20.3 points and 11.2 rebounds for Croatia in the FIBA U19 World Championships in Czech Republic. Also, Saric performed well in the ABA with Cibona Zagreb in the 2013-14 season, with a Final Four MVP performance.

FIBA Europe and Turkish Basketball Federation Board Member Harun Erdenay presented the award to Dario Saric and had the following to say about him:

“Both for the Croatian national team at EuroBasket and the FIBA World Cup and at the club level, Dario Saric has proven himself to be one of basketball’s premiere young talents,” Erdenay said prior to presenting the award, adding: “I congratulate him on being named FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year, and like all Turkish Basketball fans am excited to watch him compete for Anadolu Efes.

By the way, Saric started his first game for Anadolu Efes, his new Turkish club. There was a lot of discussion – mainly by Dario Saric’s father — about Saric not being happy with his new club. In Efes’ first real game, Saric scored nine points on 4-of-6 shooting, while also grabbing three boards and dishing three assists in a little under 21 minutes played. Jake Pavorsky of Liberty Ballers had a great recap of the game that you can read here.