NBA Draft: Lakers choose Spanish Sergio de Larrea at pick 25
The Valencia Basket youth player was selected with pick 25 in the 2026 NBA Draft and his rights were transferred to the current league champions.
Sergio De Larrea, one of the great promises of Valencia Basket, was selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, although minutes later his rights were sent to the New York Knicks, current NBA champions.
The Spanish point guard thus became one of the names of the night in Brooklyn, where the most important event for the future stars of world basketball was held.
The Lakers bet on De Larrea at pick 25
While he remained concentrated in Barcelona to play the final of the ACB League, Sergio De Larrea heard how commissioner Adam Silver pronounced his name as the 25th selection in the Draft.
The choice came from the Lakers; However, the move included an immediate transfer that sent his sports rights to the New York Knicks.
A talent trained in Valencia Basket
The election of De Larrea represents new recognition of the training work of Valencia Basket and L'Alqueria del Basket, considered one of the most important academies in European basketball.
The point guard became the second youth player from the Valencian club to be chosen in the first round of an NBA Draft, after Víctor Claver was selected with number 22 in 2009.
The Knicks appear as an unexpected destination
Although the initial image linked De Larrea with the Lakers, the movement ended up benefiting the Knicks who arrive as current champions.
The New York franchise thus adds the rights to one of the most interesting European projects of its generation, in a squad that already has established figures and aspirations to continue competing for the title.
Precisely that squad depth could become a determining factor in deciding the next step for the Spanish player.
Sergio De Larrea's future remains open
One of the main debates after the Draft is knowing when De Larrea will land in the NBA.
The point guard still has room to continue his progression in Europe and continue accumulating quality minutes in the elite of Spanish basketball.
Furthermore, the competitive context of the Knicks could lead both parties to consider an additional stage of training before definitively joining the American league.
The Spanish presence also had another great protagonist in the Draft. Aday Mara was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with number 12, establishing himself as one of the highest picks for a Spanish player in recent years.