Tarik Biberovic stats, update on Grizzles draft pick, when Memphis fans can expect to see him

So far the Memphis Grizzlies’ 2023 NBA Draft is remembered for landing a potential franchise cornerstone in GG Jackson with the 45th overall pick in the second round. Jackson’s potential shined as injuries paved the way for the 19-year old scorer to showcase his skillset.

Jackson’s breakout made the 2023 draft a success for the Grizzlies, but what if there is more success on the horizon from that class for Memphis?

Just 11 picks after selecting Jackson, the Grizzlies chose wing Tarik Biberovic and elected to draft-and-stash the Bosnian player overseas, where he's played professional basketball since the age of 15.

Biberovic joined the Grizzlies in last season’s Summer League but was mostly an afterthought due to the high number of recent draft picks on the team’s summer roster. Biberovic's play in the EuroLeague suggests that he may not be the overlooked pick for much longer.

Who is Tarik Biberovic?

Biberovic joined his current team, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, in 2018 as a 17-year old. He played sparingly in his first five seasons in the EuroLeague before playing a bigger role this season. Current Atlanta Hawks and former Fenerbahce guard Bogdan Bogdanovic is one of Biberovic’s favorite players.

In Grizzlies general manger Zach Kleiman's first public comments about Biberovic, he raved about the wing's shooting ability.

Tarik Biberovic's stats

While Jackson was having a breakout campaign in the NBA, Biberovic has been doing similar with Fenerbahce. In the Turkey Basketball Super League (BSL), Biberovic averaged a career-high 21.8 minutes and 10.4 points per night in 24 games. He shot 40.7% on 3-pointers. In 25 EuroLeague matchups against arguably the best non-NBA competition in the world, Biberovic averaged 7.2 points and shot 56.9% on 3-pointers.

Biberovic’s shooting ability as a 6-foot-6 wing is an enticing skillset that the Grizzlies could benefit from.

Fenerbahce is playing in the EuroLeague playoffs. Biberovic recently had a clutch performance in Game 3 of a series against Monaco in a 89-78 win. He scored a team-high 14 points and made two 3-pointers in 20 minutes.

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When will Tarik Biberovic join the Grizzlies?

Biberovic is under contract through 2026 with Fenerbahce, but his deal has an NBA opt out after each offseason. The Grizzlies can bring over Biberovic whenever they want. In a recent interview with BasketNews, Biberovic confirmed that he’s in wait-and-see mode. All signs point to the wing playing another year overseas before potentially joining Memphis for the 2025-26 season.

As a 6-6 shooter, he could be a potential replacement for Grizzlies sharpshooter Luke Kennard if Memphis and Kennard don't come to terms on a long-term deal. Kennard has a $14.7 million team option that must be addressed before free agency in July.

"We had a lot of talks and my agent is talking with them every day,” Biberovic told BasketNews. “We had a meeting a month ago for (the Grizzlies) to catch up with how I'm doing. They're really positive and happy about me.”

"In the NBA, it all depends on draft picks,” Biberovic added. “But there's nothing firm, and no decision has been made yet.”

As for the Summer League, Biberovic is doubtful that he’ll be playing again in 2024, but he and the Grizzlies will revisit that conversation after the EuroLeague playoffs.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies: Tarik Biberovic stats, update on NBA draft pick

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