The Washington Wizards selected top center prospectAlex Sarr with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. He enters the NBA after spending time with the Perth Wildcats of the Australian National Basketball League. Sarr, who grew up in France, also played for Overtime Elite from 2021 to 2023.
This past season, Sarr recorded 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per contest. He was a top draft prospect due to his height (7’1′) and large wingspan. In his final season at Overtime Elite, Sarr was named to the All-OTE Second Team after averaging 11.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per contest.
“I had a great year playing professional basketball in the NBL,” Sarr told ESPN in April. “There was a lot of growth in my game and as a person. I’m ready for the next step, so it was obvious for me to declare for the draft. I’m grateful for the year I spent in the NBL with the Perth Wildcats.”
Sarr added: “Being part of the NBL Next Stars program was a great experience. I had great teammates in Perth, good vets to teach me about the NBL game. The NBL is a really good platform for improving. You play meaningful games where winning games is everything. That’s how you really improve. “
What NBA Draft experts are saying about Alex Sarrr
Ahead of the NBA Draft, Sarr was the top player on On3’s Draft Big Board. “Alex Sarr has shown himself to be one of the prospects with the highest upside while playing in the NBL,” On3’s James Fletcher wrote. “Playing in a league with established professionals, his tools on both ends of the floor suggest he is ready to play in the NBA and could quickly develop into the next versatile big man. The 7-foot-1 center offers many of the things NBA teams are looking for at this position. He shot 52% from the field and 29.8% from 3, but shows good form on his jumper.”
Rotowire also has high expectations for Sarr. “Sarr stands 7-foot-1, with defense being his standout skill,” Rotowire wrote, per NBA.com “He moves incredibly well for his size and can guard on the perimeter as well as protect the rim. That size and athleticism make him an obvious pick-and-roll threat, and he’s shown some potential as a ballhandler in transition and passer in the halfcourt. The hope is that he can evolve into more of a shooter, but he went a modest 16-of-58 (28%) from deep last year and 58-of-82 (71%) from the charity stripe. Sarr also has a thin frame, which may cause some challenges against bulkier NBA centers.”
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