Sergio de Larrea makes historic NBA debut with Dallas Mavericks against Houston Rockets
Sergio de Larrea became the 21st Spanish player to appear in an NBA regular-season game, logging 6 minutes and 51 seconds on the court for the Dallas Mavericks in a 128-110 defeat to the Houston Rockets. At 20 years old, the guard from Valladolid also entered the record books as the first player from his city and the wider region of Castilla y León to play in the league, entering during the first quarter to secure two rebounds and one assist.
How the debut unfolded at the Toyota Center
De Larrea entered the game with 4:08 remaining in the opening period, making an immediate impact on the glass with an offensive rebound during a short opening rotation. He returned to the floor after the first minute of the second quarter for Max Christie, subsequently missing his sole three-point attempt of the night. With 6:17 left before halftime, he collected his first NBA assist by feeding Naji Marshall for a basket. He added a defensive rebound late in the fourth quarter to finish with two boards and a single assist.
Making their NBA debuts 🥹#MFFL pic.twitter.com/hu7bwpR4dm
The matchup marked a difficult night for the Mavericks, who dropped to a lopsided defeat. The fixture also coincided with the return of guard Kyrie Irving, who had missed 597 days due to injury, alongside appearances from veteran stars. Despite the final score, the minutes were a major achievement for the young playmaker.
Path from Spain to the NBA
De Larrea’s journey to the NBA began in the youth ranks of Colegio San Agustín in Valladolid, where he turned down offers from Real Valladolid Baloncesto to continue his development in familiar surroundings. His profile grew significantly in 2023 when he helped Spain win the FIBA U19 World Cup while playing in the Valencia Basket youth system. He later earned the Best Young Player award in the Liga Endesa for the 2025-26 season, averaging 9.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assist across 27 appearances while maintaining an efficiency rating of 12.7 in under 20 minutes per contest.
Regional leaders celebrated the milestone upon its conclusion. Castilla y León regional president Alfonso Fernández Mañueco posted on social media to highlight the achievement, calling it a historic day for the region, while Valladolid mayor Jesús Julio Carnero praised the guard as an inspiration for younger generations of local athletes.
What lies ahead for the rookie guard
The Mavericks face a demanding schedule with five games in eight days following their opening contest, presenting an immediate opportunity for De Larrea to earn additional minutes in the rotation. With Dallas managing a heavy early-season workload, the 20-year-old Spaniard will look to establish himself as a reliable backcourt option during the opening month of the campaign.
Worth a look
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