For most of the 2024 NBA Draft season, French big man Alexandre Sarr has been the top prospect, but it now seems he’s out of the running for the No. 1 overall pick. Jake Fischer reports that it’s highly likely Sarr will be drafted by the Washington Wizards at No. 2, especially after he declined to work out for the Atlanta Hawks, who hold the No. 1 pick.
“The Wizards are expected to stay at No. 2, where sources say they are focused on selecting Alex Sarr from the Perth Wildcats. According to those familiar with the situation, Washington has invested significant time and resources in evaluating Sarr, sending various personnel to Australia. This scenario aligns with Sarr’s camp’s preferences, as it’s well-known he has so far declined to work out for Atlanta.”
Last season, Sarr played for the Perth Wildcats in the NBL, averaging 9.4 points, 0.9 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game in 27 appearances. He averaged 17.3 minutes per game in the NBL, with games being 40 minutes long (10-minute quarters).
Alex Sarr Refusing To Work Out For The Hawks
As Fischer noted, Sarr has consistently declined workout requests from the Hawks since the start of the draft process. The 7’0″ big man has been considered the main prize of a weak draft class, but his refusal to work out for the No. 1 pick has brought other prospects like fellow Frenchman Zaccharie Risacher and UConn’s Donovan Clingan into contention for the top spot.
“The Hawks have been unable to bring Alex Sarr in for a workout so far, but the door remains open for that to potentially happen. Clingan appears to be Risacher’s main rival at No. 1.”
Initially, Sarr was excited about the possibility of joining the Hawks when they won the Draft Lottery in May.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72668257/BiggestDraftSleeper2024_Getty_Ringer.0.jpg?w=708&ssl=1)
“I’m really excited. I just found out the draft order. It tells me which team I’ll work out with… The Hawks are an exciting organization. They’re trending in the right direction. It’s great that they have the No. 1 pick… I know a bit about Atlanta. I wasn’t doing much, just going to school and being in the gym. It’s a great city.”
However, this development reflects poorly on the Hawks, as it indicates a lack of faith from a top prospect in the organization’s ability to develop him properly. Despite having elite guards like Trae Young and Dejounte Murray who could create great opportunities for Sarr, he seems uninterested.
The Hawks likely envision Sarr in a role similar to Dereck Lively II’s with the Mavericks, which Sarr might see as limiting. The Wizards, while a weaker team, offer more opportunities for Sarr to showcase his full range of abilities rather than fitting into a specific role in a more successful team.
Sarr would join fellow Frenchman Bilal Coulibaly and an intriguing young core in Washington, including Deni Avdija, though none of the other young stars are currently considered central to the team’s future.
