Spain's Sergio de Larrea Inching His Way Into First-Round Status

It’s the dream of college basketball players to hear their name called in the first round of the NBA draft. Only a handful of players get to experience that moment, though.

Even hearing your name in the second round is great, but the first round is best. So, it’s a bit nerve-wracking for players who are teetering between the first and second round to see where they might land.

Now, Spain’s Sergio de Larrea is inching his way into the first round of the 2026 NBA mocks. He’s barely making the cut, but he’s there, thanks to a strong showing.

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He decided to stay in the draft, which means that he knows he’s probably going in the first round or early second.

“Teams say de Larrea is open to remaining in Spain next season in the right situation, creating a stash option that could provide cap and roster relief for a first-round team,” Jeremy Woo of ESPN states in a mock draft with the player going to Dallas. “He measured officially at 6-foot-6 barefoot with a 6-9 wingspan, giving him massive dimensions for a ball handler, and is coming off a solid season in Spain, where he played a major part on a strong Valencia team and shot just under 40% from 3.”

My Analysis: What Makes Spain’s Sergio de Larrea a Good Fit for the Mavericks

De Larrea isn’t going to blow anyone away with just his speed, and that’s probably the first thing scouts notice when they watch him. But he has a lot to offer. So, that’s okay.

He plays with a calm, deliberate pace and shows the kind of feel for the game that tends to age well. He doesn’t get tripped up by the defense. And he’s big. His size only adds to the appeal. Bigger guards who can help offense without needing to dominate possessions are always valuable, especially in today’s NBA.

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There is still room for growth, but the foundation for de Larrea is easy to see. For Dallas, the fit makes some sense.

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This story was originally published June 21, 2026 at 4:45 PM.