The rookie Spaniard put on a show on Monday night in Las Vegas.
Sergio De Larrea likely hit a growth spurt in the midst of his basketball journey, but he brought his point guard-like skills with him as he suits up in Summer League as a 6-5 rookie guard for the Dallas Mavericks.
The No. 25 overall pick in this year's NBA Draft scored 16 points and dished 12 assists as the Mavs earned their first Summer League victory, beating the Memphis Grizzlies 96-88 in Las Vegas on Monday night.
With Dallas returning Kyrie Irving to the rotation next season, there still remains an opening for a permanent second-string primary ball-handler for when the veteran is off the floor.
De Larrea is playing like he wants to grab that spot by the horns and not let go.
"He looks like someone who played point guard growing up," summer coach Joe Boylan said. "His passing, his vision, his IQ, those are things of somebody who has probably played the position a long time."
De Larrea's frame obviously gives him a leg up on second-year guard Ryan Nembhard, who despite being more comfortable with NBA competition is just barely 6-feet tall and struggles on the defensive perimeter.
"I think the NBA is trending toward having as many point guards on the floor at one time . . . it gives you flexibility and you can play alongside to play next to another ball-handler," Boylan explained.
"I think [De Larrea will] get opportunities as the primary and secondary guy. And it’s going to be [exciting] to see where he’s best suited to play. He’s going to be really versatile and adaptable player."
De Larrea, 20, has averaged 10 points and seven assists through three Summer League games. While he can still work on his 3-point shooting (just 4 for 15 in that span), the rookie has been impressed with his playmaking at this level.
"I think it was good," he said after Monday's game, his first true opportunity as a lead point guard with Nembhard sidelined. "I think I managed well all the situations ... I shared [the ball] good and I think that we made good connections with all of the guys, so I would say I feel comfortable with playing point guard."
Dallas' last guaranteed Summer League contest comes on Thursday, July 16, against the Oklahoma City Thunder at 3 p.m. CT.
It could be an opportunity for the Mavs' top rookie, No. 9 pick Morez Johnson Jr., to return to the floor after sitting out on Monday with calf soreness, though it wouldn't be surprising if the team shut him down.
Judging by his double-double against the Grizzlies, you can argue that Dallas also begun to see what it wants out of De Larrea, especially as that second primary ball-handler competition heats up.
"Summer League can be really difficult for taller guards because you get these athletic pressure guards that try to get under you and he’s a guy who’s kind of wise beyond his years," Boylan said about De Larrea.
"He showed the alley-oop pass and he’s got some things you just can’t teach. He handled the pick-and-roll and did a great job of handling some pressure.
"He’s so poised. He was a little down on himself about some of the shots, but we don’t want to judge guys on just the results. We want it to be process-oriented. He took a bunch of great shots. We believe in him."
