DALLAS — Tarik Biberović is trying to show the Dallas Mavericks physicality, defense, rebounding, and basketball IQ in training camp, not just the shooting that made his name at Fenerbahçe, he said Friday after the sixth practice.
Biberović has good size, he said. To stay on the court in the NBA, a player has to do multiple things.
“Everybody knows I came here as a shooter, but to stay on the court you have to do multiple things. Obviously, it’s an everyday fight,” Biberović said. “We’re here together to make each other better, but still you’re competing every single day, and that’s the beauty of it. Me personally, I have a good size, and I’m trying to bring the physicality, defense, rebounding, high energy, and also basketball IQ.”
“Understanding the plays, helping the other players around me, trying to be that piece who’s going to lift up the team in some situations,” Biberović continued. “So it’s very, very joyful for me too.”
Mavericks coach Dusty May has seen it. Dallas is much less structured than Biberović’s past teams, according to May, and he is learning to find his shots within the flow of the game.
“Obviously, the shooting is what he’s going to hang his hat on and what this team needs him to do at a high level,” May said. “I think his defense has been probably a little bit further along than I anticipated. Just getting him more acclimated, playing off of his teammates, we’re much less structured per se than his past teams. And so it’s learning to find his shots and the flow of the game and making sure we’re taking good ones. But he’s a good player.”
Why Tarik Biberović Left Fenerbahçe For The Dallas Mavericks
The Memphis Grizzlies drafted Biberović 56th overall in 2023, and he stayed in Istanbul. Dallas acquired his rights in July in the six-team trade that also involved Santi Aldama and Marcus Sasser, and he signed on July 10.
Biberović had the chance to come over last year, he said, along with other opportunities, including from NBA teams. He is more mature mentally now.
“Well, I feel myself marinated. I had the opportunity also last year, but I actually gave up a lot to be here. I had very good opportunities, like back over there, also from different NBA teams,” Biberović said. “But me personally, I feel, not a little bit, I feel I’m ready for this challenge, because mentally I’m way more mature, and I know how to be on the court, and I’ll give my best to earn every single minute of it.”
Marc Stein of The Stein Line reported in July that Biberović agreed to a two-year, $6 million deal with a team option in the second season. Fenerbahçe’s buyout ran $2 million. NBA rules capped Dallas’ contribution at $900,000, with Biberović paying the remaining amount.
Making it to the NBA was one of Biberović’s first goals when he was in Europe. The Dallas staff knew what he left behind to get here.
“Well, the staff also knew what I gave, what I left behind me. So they also know I didn’t come here just to be happy or just to be a part of the team, just to be an NBA player,” Biberović explained. “That was one of my first goals when I was in Europe. I’m never going to be the guy who just came into the NBA just to say he was an NBA player. I came here to make an impact, and they also know that.”
“So we have that hunger … Hopefully, if God wills, I hope we’re going to go up every single day,” Biberović added. “We’re on the same page, and that’s the most important.”
Biberović has known Mavericks general manager Mike Schmitz since he was young. At media day on Sept. 25, he said that relationship made Dallas a comfort zone.
“I’ve known Mike Schmitz since I was very young because he’s like one of the best people who scout players. He’s all about European players, so it was kind of like a comfort zone that we had,” Biberović said Sept. 25. “When the Mavericks took my rights, I talked with Mr. Masai and Mike Schmitz. So that was kind of on the same page. My dream was always to come to the NBA, and Dallas Mavericks as an organization, they stepped up and they gave me the chance, and I’m very happy to be here.”
Schmitz explained in August that interest in Biberović ran through the whole front office. Players who had been in the NBA and returned to the EuroLeague told Biberović the league was “a place basically made for players like me,” he said at media day.
Biberović spent eight seasons with Fenerbahçe and helped the club win the 2025 EuroLeague title. That season, he averaged 9.8 points in 32 EuroLeague games and made 66-of-157 3-pointers, a 42.0% clip.
Last season, he averaged 10.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 36 EuroLeague regular-season games. He made 73-of-183 from three for 39.9% and shot 95.1% at the free-throw line. Over five playoff games, he averaged 15.8 points and made 52.9% of his 3-pointers.
Dallas made 34.4% of its 3-pointers as a team last season.
Dusty May On Tarik Biberović’s Defense And Earning Minutes
The rhythm in Dallas is a little faster than what Biberović is used to, but the idea is the same. Some of the terminology is new to him.
“Trying to get acclimated to the system. Very blessed. Very blessed to be here with the guys, and everybody is healthy,” Biberović said. “It’s very nice to be here and trying to get better. Me personally, it’s obviously like a new system and I have to adjust for it, but it’s not so hard, because the philosophy and the rhythm is a little bit faster, but kind of like the idea is the same, so I’m enjoying every single day.”
“Terminology? It’s been a little bit different. We were talking about this just like five minutes ago. Like, he was saying some things, and for me, I’m hearing it for the first time, but it’s just like this,” Biberović detailed. “It’s basketball, so it’s easy.”
Biberović will have to adjust to NBA speed and length, according to May, before Dallas opens against Houston, Indiana, and San Antonio.
“I think any basketball team in this sport, it’s a meritocracy. If you play well and your team functions better as a group with you out there, then your minutes go up, and if you play and if the team doesn’t play well, they go down,” May said. “… When you look at our speed and length, hopefully that will allow him to be ready to play against the Houstons and the San Antonios and Indianas, the teams we play first. But I think his shooting will be something that we’re going to be able to count on.”
Biberović called Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg generational talents. Dallas brought him in to make their game easier, he said.
“As you guys know, as much as I can see, Dallas fans are very much educated about basketball. They understand basketball too,” Biberović said. “So the reason why I’m brought here is to make their game easier, so the guys can help me, so they have more space, and so they can make my job easier too, because they’re great one-on-one players and they’re good system players.”
“I don’t know how much you saw it in the practices, but they understand the system really well, and they are sharing the ball, and they understand the coach’s idea, so it’s been beautiful,” Biberović noted. “Both of them are generational talents, and it’s beautiful. It’s a blessing to share a court with them.”
In Macao, Biberović wants Dallas on the same page, with a new team and a new staff.
“Well, like, I’ll talk team, from the team’s perspective first. We have a new team, pretty much a new team and new staff, and a lot of new energy,” Biberović said. “So I think we as a team have to be on the same page and try to put in accord the things we’re working on here, even before the preseason camp. So for me, that’s the most important: to be on the same page, to be in the rhythm.”
“And me personally, I’ll try to fight for every single chance I have. I’m a good shooter, I believe in myself, but also, firstly and foremostly, I’m a basketball player,” Biberović continued. “So be there for the team to get a win.”
Biberović has been in Dallas for almost a month. Competing and taking care of each other have both been at a high level, he said.
“Very good guys. All the guys you named, the ones you didn’t name, everybody’s a great professional. Every one of them has their own capabilities and special things they are good at,” Biberović said. “So it’s been really nice here. I’ve been here for like a month almost, and the competing is at a high level, but also taking care of each other is at a high level, which is the most important in these circumstances.”
His brother is also a shooter.
“My brother is a really good shooter. I’ll say we’re all the same,” Biberović said. “He might be even better sometimes.”
Dallas opens the preseason against the Houston Rockets on Oct. 9 at The Venetian Arena in Macao, with tip-off at 7 a.m. CT. The regular season opens Oct. 21 at Houston, followed by a trip to the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 23 and the home opener against the San Antonio Spurs on Oct. 24.
