The Washington Wizards were delighted to select Alex Sarr with the second overall pick in the 2024 draft. He played professionally in Australia last season after spending time with Overtime Elite. Sarr is a special talent and has immediately become one of the building blocks of the Wizards.
Washington is in the midst of a rebuild. They had three first-round picks this year, and Sarr is not the only one with star potentialThe Wizards will continue to add talent, but they may never be able to get a higher draft pick than Sarr. The 7-foot-4 is a key piece of their future, and Washington needs him to become a star.
Head coach Brian Keefe spoke about his three Recruits and their development plan with the Monumental Sports Network. During the conversation, he shared the skills that make Sarr special and how they plan to explore it in hopes of unlocking his superstar potential.
The 19-year-old is a particular talent. His defense stands out as a 7-foot-4 player who can protect the basket and defend multiple players. Sarr will have an immediate defensive impact, but fans have seen Offensive difficulties in summer leagueThe Wizards are certainly not worried.
Coach Keefe had this to say about Sarr’s offensive game and what they plan to explore in year one.
“He has the ability to be a three-level scorer at some point, but one thing that stood out to us was his ability to see the play and read the play. He’s a good passer, so we want him to have the ball in his hands to explore those opportunities so he can make plays for himself and others.”
Having a 7-foot-4 point guard is a huge advantage in the NBA. Sarr averaged 1.0 assists in 18.0 minutes per game last season as a backup for Perth in the NBL. He’s certainly had flashes, and the Wizards want to see if he can improve in that area. Remember, Sarr is only 19 and far from his prime.
Only 22 players averaged more than 5.0 assists per game last season. The 7-foot-10 players on that list are Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid. Dropping down to four assists per game and setting the bar at 6-foot-6 or taller, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Anthony Davis join the list. They are all current or future stars. If Sarr can flourish in that department, he could quickly join that group.
Having a playmaking center is a huge plus. He would be a crucial piece for the Wizards as they look to emerge from their rebuild and get back into contention. Alex Sarr has the potential, and head coach Brain Keefe is willing to explore what the 7-foot-10 can do with the ball in his hands.
The Washington Wizards won’t win many games in the 2024-25 season, but there will be plenty of development. Alex Sarr will be hoping to make an immediate impact and fans will certainly be watching him closely. Keep an eye on his game and stay tuned for all the latest news.
