Former Mavericks draft pick has become absolute legend overseas

Former Dallas Mavericks point guard Shane Larkin has become one of the most accomplished players in all of European basketball. It's a shining example of how life as a professional basketball player doesn't end once an NBA journey comes to its conclusion, or perhaps even simply hits pause.

From the 18th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft to a champion multiple times over, Larkin is the epitome of how fruitful life beyond the Association can still be.

Nitpickers will note that the Atlanta Hawks technically drafted Larkin at No. 18, but that's a statement without context. Atlanta selected Larkin for the Mavericks in the trade that sent Jared Cunningham, Lucas Nogueira, and the No. 44 pick to the Hawks.

In other words: The Mavericks drafted Larkin, but the NBA technically listed the Hawks as doing so because draft-night trades aren't made official until after the fact.

Semantics aside, what Larkin has gone on to achieve in Europe is nothing short of remarkable. The former ACC Player of the Year has gone on to win 11 trophies, dominating in Turkey and at EuroLeague alike.

The former Mavericks playmaker has even become a member of the Turkish national team, which he's actively representing at EuroBasket 2025.

Shane Larkin has racked up legendary accolades in Europe

Larkin began his European career with Baskonia in Spain's Liga ACB in 2016-17. He instantly made his mark, earning All-Liga ACB Second Team honors in what has since become the first feat on an ever-expanding list of international achievements.

After spending the 2017-18 season with the Boston Celtics, Larkin returned to Europe in 2018 with Turkish powerhouse Anadolu Efes—a team with which he's reached generational heights.

Larkin helped Anadolu Efes win the Turkish Super League in 2019, 2021, and 2023. He also helped his team win the Turkish Cup in 2022 and the Turkish Super Cup in 2018, 2019, 2022, an 2023—thus bringing his tally to nine trophies in Turkey.

Larkin won the Turkish Super League Finals MVP in 2019, and has blended his elite efficiency as a shooter with his dynamic playmaking throughout the other runs.

Larkin's greatest feats were at EuroLeague, however, where the top teams in Europe go to compete for the most prestigious of overseas trophies. Larkin led EuroLeague in scoring in 2019-20, averaging 22.8 points per game on an absurd slash line of .530/.509/.903.

A year later, Larkin helped Anadolu Efes win the first EuroLeague title in club history—and delivered the second just one season after that.

Larkin earned All-EuroLeague First Team honors in 2021-22 and received a second-team nod in 2020-21. He's become a mainstay at the tournament, twice leading the event in Performance Index Rating, which aspires to determine a player's box score efficiency.

Through all of his legendary accomplishments, Larkin has become proof positive of how rewarding a career outside of the NBA can be.