By Rafal Juc

 

Although season 2012/13 has already started, MVP of last European Championship U18, Dario Saric (94) is still sidelined. Even though 18-year-old phenomenon has signed 4-year deal with Bilbao Basket, he still is unable to join a new team due to controversy around his buy-out. Eventually FIBA Basketball Arbitral Tribunal ruled 550 thousand euros as a final price. Were at the beginning of soap opera - said Saric after hearing a sentence.

One of the most talented players in Europe, Dario Saric (94) agreed terms with Gescrap Bizkaia Bilbao to 4-year deal at the end of July. First rumors said that he could continue his career in such powerhouses like Panathinaikos Athens, Partizan mt:s Belgrade, Cibona Zagreb or Cedevita Zagreb, however the agreement with Bilbao was confirmed by both sides, even though the deal wasnt approved by FIBA Europe yet at the time.

Bilbaos management allowed Saric to stay one more year on loan at Balkans in order to finish high school education and improve skills to demanding ACB level. 610'' Croatian forward has even joined KK Split and has been practicing with the team for last month, however his rights are still belonging to KK Zagreb. How is that possible? An issue of dispute is height of Sarics buy-out. The original contract included one million buy-out and even though the price was reduced by almost half, its still unsatisfactory for Bilbaos management, which was promised by Sarics agent to amount of more or less 200 thousand euros, according to our source.

What can I say? We all are in shock: Dario, whole family as well as lawyers. Nobody can believe in it. We are looking for way out of this situation and thats all I can say at this point. I dont know who could pay for Darios rights, perhaps only CSKA, Barcelona or Real. We will see what Bilbao will say, however I cant believe what FIBA ruled - explains Darios father, Predrag Saric to 24sata.hr.

At the same article Dario admitted: Im shocked and surprised, I was hoping for much lesser damages. Now I dont know what will be done next, were at the beginning of soap opera. I hope it will be somehow solved soon. I leave it in the hands of my lawyers, who have already done a good job. I have no choice but to concentrate on my work. I just want to play. I do not even know what to think.

Photo: FIBA Europe / Robertas Dackus

 

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