​A former Dallas-area high school standout is heading back home as a professional. The Dallas Mavericks have acquired guard Marcus Sasser, who began his NBA career in 2023 with the Detroit Pistons. Before turning pro, Sasser made a lasting impact at Red Oak High School, and now he will have another chance to showcase his talents inside a familiar arena.
Here are key details about Sasser: Name: Marcus Sasser; Position: Guard; Height: 6-1; Weight: 195 pounds; College: Houston; High school: Red Oak; Hometown: Dallas. Sasser starred at Red Oak, where he earned multiple individual honors under head coach and uncle Jason Sasser. In his senior year, he was named District 14-5A MVP and earned Class 5A All-State recognition from the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.
Recruiting notes indicate Sasser was a three-star recruit in the 2019 class, with offers from several Division I programs, including SMU, Colorado State, Louisiana Tech, and UTEP, according to 247Sports.
Jason Sasser, before moving into coaching, had a global professional playing career. The former Texas Tech forward was selected by the Sacramento Kings in the second round of the 1996 NBA draft and appeared in two games for the Mavericks during the 1996-97 season. His playing journey took him to countries such as Spain, the Philippines, Germany, Portugal, Kuwait, and South Korea.
Sasser left a mark at the University of Houston, where he emerged as one of the nation’s top collegiate guards in his senior season. He earned consensus first-team All-America honors in 2023, becoming the first Houston player to receive the distinction since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1984. During that season, Sasser averaged 16.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, helping the Cougars reach the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet Sixteen.
Now 25, Sasser enters his fourth NBA season, having spent his first three years with Detroit. He appeared in 71 games as a rookie in the 2023-24 season, played 57 the following year, and appeared in 38 games in the 2025-26 campaign, logging about 12 minutes per contest. He averaged 5.2 points and 2 assists per game last season.
With the Mavericks, Sasser is likely to contribute to the battle for minutes behind Kyrie Irving. The team will also have Ryan Nembhard and 2026 draftee Sergio De Larrea competing for the backup guard role, making Sasser a valuable addition to a crowded backcourt.
This move places Sasser in a position to bring depth and scoring to Dallas’s guard rotation, offering a veteran perspective from his time in Detroit and a fresh opportunity to make his mark in front of home fans. For Mavericks fans and North Texas watchers alike, Sasser’s return to the area as a pro is a storyline to follow as the team shapes its rotation for the season ahead. Sign up for the Morning Roundup to receive a free daily digest of the latest North Texas news each morning.