Alex Sarr

Alex Sarr

 

Alexandre Dam Sarr (born April 26, 2005) is a French professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 7 feet 0 inches (2.13 m) and weighing 205 pounds (93 kg), Sarr was selected second overall by the Wizards in the 2024 NBA Draft. He is the younger brother of Oklahoma City Thunder center Olivier Sarr and is known for his exceptional rim protection, defensive versatility, and fluid mobility for a player of his size.

 

Early Life and Youth Career

 

Sarr was born on April 26, 2005, in Bordeaux, France, into a family of basketball players. His father, Massar Sarr, is a former professional basketball player of Senegalese descent. Alex began playing basketball at age four and developed his skills initially in Bordeaux before the family relocated to Toulouse.

 

In 2019, at age 14, Sarr left France to join Real Madrid Baloncesto’s youth academy in Spain, where he played for their cadet team for two seasons. His early international experience helped him develop adaptability and maturity beyond his years.

 

Overtime Elite (2021–2023)

 

In 2021, Sarr moved to the United States to join Overtime Elite (OTE) in Atlanta, Georgia, securing a guaranteed minimum salary of at least $100,000 per year, an alternative professional pathway outside traditional college basketball. He played two seasons with OTE, first with Team Overtime and then with YNG Dreamerz. In 2022-23, Sarr earned second-team All-OTE honors, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier prospects.

 

Perth Wildcats (2023–2024)

 

On May 9, 2023, Sarr signed with the Perth Wildcats of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) as part of the league’s Next Stars program for the 2023-24 season. The program is designed specifically for elite NBA draft prospects seeking high-level professional competition.

 

Sarr entered the season as a highly touted prospect but suffered a hip strain on December 28, 2023, during a game against the Adelaide 36ers, causing him to miss four weeks. He returned on January 27, 2024, recording a career-high 18 points and five blocks in a 103-91 victory over South East Melbourne Phoenix.

 

In 30 NBL appearances, Sarr averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 0.9 assists in 17 minutes per game while shooting 28% from three-point range. His defensive prowess and mobility helped Perth reach the NBL playoff semifinals. The physical nature of NBL competition prepared him exceptionally well for the NBA.

 

NBA Career

 

Washington Wizards (2024–present)

 

Sarr declared for the 2024 NBA Draft on April 12, 2024. On June 26, 2024, he was selected second overall by the Washington Wizards, making him the highest-drafted player from Overtime Elite history. He was drafted alongside fellow Frenchmen Zaccharie Risacher (first overall to Atlanta) and Tidjane Salaün (sixth overall to Charlotte), making France the first foreign country to have three top-10 picks in the same draft.

 

Rookie Season (2024-25)

 

Sarr signed a two-year, $23.05 million rookie scale contract on July 3, 2024. In October 2025, the Wizards exercised their $12.37 million team option for 2026-27, which includes a $15.61 million team option for 2027-28.

 

On March 15, 2025, Sarr recorded a career-high 34 points, six rebounds, and five assists in a 126-123 victory over the Denver Nuggets, becoming the youngest player in Wizards history to score 30-plus points in a game. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting behind winner Stephon Castle, Zaccharie Risacher, and Jaylen Wells.

 

Sophomore Season (2025-26)

 

Sarr has been named to the 2026 NBA Rising Stars roster alongside teammates Tre Johnson and Kyshawn George. Through February 8, 2026, he is averaging 15.1 points and a team-leading 7.7 rebounds per game while ranking third among NBA sophomores in scoring. Sarr has recorded 12 double-doubles this season, becoming Washington’s fifth-ever two-time Rising Stars participant.

 

He has dealt with ankle issues during the 2025-26 season, missing the February 7, 2026, game against Brooklyn but returning on February 9 against Miami with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

 

International Career

 

Sarr has represented France extensively at youth levels, helping the team win the FIBA U16 European Challengers in 2021, bronze at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup, and silver at the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup.

 

On August 5, 2025, Sarr made his senior national team debut for France ahead of EuroBasket 2025, scoring 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting in an 81-75 victory over Montenegro. He played in the tournament’s opening group phase game but suffered an ankle injury against Slovenia that forced him to miss the remainder of the competition.

 

References

 

External Links

* Alex Sarr on NBA.com

* Alex Sarr on Basketball-Reference.com