Who is Alexandre Sarr? Meet the potential No. 1 pick in 2024 NBA Draft

Alexandre Sarr emerges as a fascinating figure in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft, potentially destined for the top spot with the Atlanta Hawks. This 19-year-old French center stands out not only for his towering 7-foot frame but also for his unconventional journey to professional basketball.

Unlike many prospects who navigate through college hoops, Sarr charted a distinctive path. He began in Real Madrid’s youth program before embarking on a pivotal move to Atlanta in 2021. There, he joined the “Overtime Elite” league, a breeding ground for top-tier talent that saw him earn accolades such as All-OTE Second Team honors during his two-season stint, where he earned $100,000.

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At just 18 years old, Sarr opted to broaden his experience by heading to Australia for the 2023-24 season, aligning himself with the NBL’s “Next Stars” program. This platform, which has fostered stars like LaMelo Ball and Josh Giddey, saw Sarr’s impact propel the Perth Wildcats to the NBL Semifinals, significantly boosting his stock ahead of the NBA Draft.

Sarr’s journey isn’t without familial ties either; his older brother Olivier forged a path through NCAA basketball before venturing into the NBA landscape. Olivier’s experiences have likely shaped Alexandre’s perspective and approach to the game, underscoring a family tradition deeply embedded in basketball.

As the draft approaches, Sarr remains a tantalizing prospect for NBA teams eager to harness his size, skill, and international experience. His story underscores the evolving landscape of talent development in basketball, where unconventional paths can lead to remarkable success on the global stage.

 

Alex Sarr stats

Year League Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG BPG SPG PPG
2022-23 OTE YNG Dreamerz 17 25.3 47.8 30.0 65.0 6.4 2.0 1.1 0.9 11.1
2023-24 NBL Perth Wildcats 27 17.3 51.6 28.6 71.0 4.3 0.9 1.5 0.4 9.4

 

 

Alex Sarr Mock Draft projection

Mock Draft projection: No. 1 to Hawks

Mock drafts are like fortune cookies for sports fans — sometimes you get a glimpse of the future, sometimes you’re just left with a pithy saying. In this case, Alexandre Sarr seems to be the big, exciting fortune hidden inside the cookie for the Atlanta Hawks.

Sure, there are more mysteries in this draft class than a detective novel, but Sarr stands out as a safer bet than most. At just 19, he’s already a towering presence on the court, boasting a combination of size, length, coordination, and athleticism that would make even seasoned pros jealous. Think of him as a mobile fortress around the rim, a shot-swatter extraordinaire, and a gravity-defying catch artist for those alley-oops.

Now, if worst comes to worst and his offensive game doesn’t bloom like a spring flower, no big deal. He could still be a force of nature akin to Dereck Lively II — you know, the kind who runs the floor like a gazelle and brings enough energy to light up a city block.

True, the Hawks already have a couple of big men in Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu. But with change looming large in Atlanta, why not snag the best player available? If Sarr lives up to his billing, he could be the cornerstone that turns this draft day fortune into a franchise-altering move.