Section 215
Fansided

Philadelphia Sports: Section 215 top 25 Philadelphia athletes revealed

By Chuck Booth

Jan 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (1) celebrates with center Joel Embiid (21) after his game winning shot against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (1) celebrates with center Joel Embiid (21) after his game winning shot against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
16 of 26
Next
Philadelphia Sports
Mar 29, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) stands for the national anthem prior to action against the Atlanta Hawks at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Number 11: Dario Saric – Forward, Philadelphia 76ers

After acquiring his rights via trade in the 2014 NBA Draft, Dario Saric was nothing more than a promising European player with clouds of uncertainty as to when he would come state-side. Now almost at the conclusion of his rookie NBA season, any doubts regarding Dario have been wiped away. The pretty clear front-runner for NBA Rookie of the Year after Joel Embiid’s injury, Saric has taken his increased role in stride to close his first season. Averaging 12 points and 6 rebounds while shooting 41% from the floor has met, if not exceeded even the wildest ambitions of Sixers fans from the rookie forward.

At number 11 in our Philadelphia Athlete ranking, Saric seems to be ranked pretty fairly. This puts him firmly as the Sixers second best player, and with Ben Simmons lack of NBA minutes thus far, that reiterates the fair assessment of Dario. Saric has shown he can do a little bit of everything on the floor. His shooting, versatility, willingness to scrap down low for points and rebounds and his improved defensive play has shown his maturity beyond his years. A further underrated aspect of Saric has been his willingness to learn and be a team player. Brett Brown further echoed this:

"“I love Dario Saric. The whole thing, just everything about him. He just does so much and cares so much and represents everything that I’m trying to get to grow our program and have the city be proud of us. He brings a pride, a spirit, a toughness that you want your culture to represent”."

Certainly high praise from Brown for his probable Rookie of the Year. This city will be in for a treat watching this young man grow into a perennial All-Star in Philadelphia for years to come.