The Los Angeles Lakers selected Valencia Basket playmaker Sergio De Larrea with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft on June 24.
They immediately traded his draft rights to the reigning champion New York Knicks, according to reports.
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De Larrea Misses Draft Ceremony
The 20-year-old guard was not present at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the draft.
He was in Barcelona preparing for game four of the ACB Spanish league finals, as reported by cope.
es.
De Larrea becomes the second homegrown player from Valencia Basket to be drafted in the NBA first round.
Victor Claver was the first, going 22nd overall to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2009.
Under the NBA collective bargaining agreement, De Larrea could be eligible for a first-year salary of nearly $3 million.
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However, Valencia Basket sports director Luis Arbalejo hopes the guard stays in Spain for one more season.
He cited potential limited playing time behind New York guards Jalen Brunson and Jose Alvarado.
Earlier in the draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder selected Spanish center Aday Mara from the University of Michigan with the 12th overall pick.
That marks the fourth-highest draft position for a Spanish player in NBA history, behind Pau Gasol, Ricky Rubio, and Fran Vazquez.
The Washington Wizards opened the draft by selecting forward A. J.
Dybantsa from BYU with the first overall pick.
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Darryn Peterson went to the Utah Jazz at number two, and Cameron Boozer was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies at number three.
