Tarik Biberovic’s NBA rise: Marko Guduric on the work behind his transformation

From Istanbul prospect to EuroLeague champion

Tarik Biberovic arrived in Istanbul as a teenager in 2018 and spent eight seasons developing with Fenerbahce. Over those years he turned into one of Europe’s most reliable shooters, worked his way onto a championship roster and became a consistent contributor for one of the continent’s biggest clubs.

His time in Turkey yielded a long list of team honours: a EuroLeague title, four Turkish League crowns, five Turkish Cups and one Turkish Super Cup — 11 trophies in all. That sustained success helped raise his profile and prepared him for the next step.

The grind that earned him an NBA shot

Former teammate Marko Guduric has repeatedly pointed to Biberovic’s relentless work ethic as the key to his rise. Guduric describes him as the player who stayed in the gym longer, took more shots and kept pushing even when game time was scarce. There were moments when coaches limited his access and he had to fight for opportunities, but he steadily grew into bigger roles under different coaches.

Biberovic was picked late in the 2023 NBA Draft but chose to keep developing in Europe. This summer, his NBA rights were acquired by the Dallas Mavericks, opening the door for him to finally make the move. At 25, he arrives in the NBA with a reputation as an elite shooter and the kind of behind-the-scenes work ethic that teams value.

From a teen trying to earn minutes in Istanbul to a EuroLeague champion getting an NBA chance, Biberovic’s story is a reminder that patience, sacrifice and consistent practice can pay off.