BIO: Alexandre Sarr was born in Toulouse (France). There he competed in Spain with Real Madrid’s Cadet A Youth Team before spending two years in the USA developing his game with the Overtime Elite (OTE) program. Competing at OTE with, and against, some of the world’s brightest young talents, Sarr was a force down low finishing second in the league in BLK% (4.1%) and averaged 3.0 blocks per 40 minutes.

A very fluid and mobile big man with really good movement skills, agility and leaping ability. He moves more like a wing than a traditional center. Has a lot of potential as a face-up player where he can use his speed and mobility to take defenders off the bounce – or pull up from mid range. He is also a versatile defender who can guard the 3pt line.

How many 7 footers are doing this?
Alex Sarr is SPECIAL ???? pic.twitter.com/ffhYNkDlqD

— Overtime Elite (@OvertimeElite) August 22, 2022

FAMILY: The younger brother of NBA player Olivia Sarr.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Alexandre Sarr made his NBL debut with the Perth Wildcats at 18 years of age. He scored nine points in his first game.

Alexandre Sarr will make history as Perth’s first ever NBL Next Star, but he’s following a path that’s been walked before him as a exciting French talent making his way to the NBL. Sarr was barely 18 when he was announced as a Wildcat, and the young centre has already showcased a ability to absolutely dominate players his age – not only was he a star in America’s Overtime Elite league for YNG Dreamerz, but he was the most efficient player (in PER) at the recent FIBA U17 World Cup.

At the time of signing with the Wildcats, Sarr was projected as the 17th pick in ESPN’s 2024 NBA mock Draft.

“This is a extremely exciting signing for the club to be able to secure a elite talent like Alexandre as a Next Star for next season,” Wildcats General Manager of Basketball Operations Danny Mills said upon signing Sarr.

“His combination of size, skill and a high-level basketball IQ at his age is incredibly unique and why he is on the draft boards of every NBA team as a projected first round pick for the 2024 Draft.”

After a brilliant pre-season series against the G-League Ignite in Las Vegas, Sarr also produced regularly during the Wildcats’ home-and-away campaign in front of a host of NBA scout and executives who regularly flew to Australia to watch him play.

Sarr’s first match-winning performance was in the annual Pink Game against Adelaide 36ers in October, nailing a couple of late triples to help clinch a thrilling victory. His clutch shots came after a crucial rebound at the other end of the floor.

A hip injury sustained in late December against the 36ers in Adelaide sidelined Sarr for about a month, but he bounced back for some important performances in the back end of the season.

17 points, 6 rebounds in 24 minutes for projected No. 2 pick Alex Sarr in a huge road win over first place Melbourne. The 7'1 French big man has been one of the big risers of the 2024 NBA draft cycle thus far. pic.twitter.com/Jxq5LEy3we

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) November 6, 2023

Sarr averaged a play-offs high 2.7 blocked shots per game during the semi-final series against Tasmania, earning head coach John Rillie’s praise after the game-one win at RAC Arena.

Sarr averaged 9.4 points (52% Field-goal percentage), 4.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 0.9 assists in NBL24, playing a little over 17 minutes per game.

Alexandre Sarr played one season in the NBL. He averaged 9.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 27 NBL games.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Alex Sarr has made a bigger impact on the Next Star program than one might realise. Look at NBL rosters, Next Star program may as well be called the backup big program as teams realise that's the only position that combines team success and provides the opportunities they need pic.twitter.com/qPBdNaUNSs

— AussieHoopla (@aussiehoopla) July 2, 2024

Dan Boyce (815 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.