NBA Draft Rumors: Dario Saric has a high basketball IQ, is a top 10 pick

Jun 27, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; A general view as NBA commissioner David Stern (right) , deputy commissioner Adam Silver (left) and former NBA player Hakeem Olajuwon speak on stage after the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

For a high profile prospect, Croatian forward Dario Saric isn’t getting a lot of hype.

That’s probably for a couple of reasons. Saric is an international player so not a lot of people have seen him play and Saric has gone back and forth as far as declaring for the draft or not. Saric declared for the 2013 draft, but later withdrew.

ESPN’s Chad Ford is high on Saric.

"He has one of the highest basketball IQs of anyone in the draft. He just has phenomenal instincts as a player and at 6-10, he’s a bit like Kyle Anderson in that he’s a point power forward. He’s more athletic than Anderson which is why he’s ranked higher. But he’s got to continue to work on his jumpshot. Basically everyone is waiting to see what he’s going to do. His father and his new agents are pulling in different directions. His father would like him to stay in Europe the next few years. I think his agents worry about how that affects his draft stock now. With so many teams high on him, you strike while the iron is hot. Will be interesting to see how it plays out. Once teams know when he will realistically be able to come over to the NBA, we will know more about his draft stock"

The 6’10 Saric is ranked as the ninth-best prospect by Draft Express.

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