The San Antonio Spurs have had a miserable start to their first season with Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama has been hailed as a prodigious talent for years and was drafted by the Spurs with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Despite his promise, the Spurs are not winning and have started the season 3-14. Another spin in the draft lottery looks imminent, and another Frenchman could await them in the future.
The 2024 NBA Draft isn’t as highly regarded as the one that just went by but has some incredible talents nonetheless. One of the players that the Spurs could find themselves drafting is Alexandre Sarr, an 18-year-old forward currently playing in the Australian NBL for the Perth Wildcats.
The Spurs have won a championship with a two-man big-man duo of Tim Duncan and David Robinson, with the 2024 Draft giving them an opportunity to possibly replicate that magic with Alex Sarr. They wouldn’t need the No. 1 pick to get the deed done, so the 2024 Draft could lead to the first big acquisition of the Wembanyama era.
With prospects like 7’7″ sensation and Wembanyama hybrid Olivier Rioux also coming into the NBA in coming seasons, we could see a golden age of big men again.
Who Is Alex Sarr?
Alex Sarr is coming into the 2024 NBA Draft as one of the best prospects in the class, though the comparison point for him is different. Sarr was born and bred in France, getting discovered for his basketball talent and then heading to the Real Madrid youth squad. Instead of staying with Madrid and developing like Luka Doncic and Usman Garuba before him, Sarr made the move to Team Overtime in the USA.
He left Team Overtime this summer to further garnish his basketball experience with overseas play, joining the Perth Wildcats in the Australian NBL. He’s been a solid rotational player for the Wildcats and is averaging 9.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while coming off the bench. He played in two showcase games against the G League Ignite during NBA preseason, dominating opponents while averaging 21.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, six blocks, and two assists.
His body is suited to the NBA style, with many comparisons referencing him to be a taller Jaren Jackson Jr. He can block shots, run the court, as well as shoot the ball. While he doesn’t have the same size and offensive polish that Wembanyama has, he has a frame that’s amenable to putting on size and dominating the NBA as a powerhouse center. He currently weighs around 220 pounds but still has room for growth.
His defensive potential is off the charts, with a very developed ability to defend on the perimeter as well. His 7’5″ wingspan will cause havoc not only at the rim but also in passing lanes and general space on the court. His defensive fundamentals are already strong and could develop in perennial DPOY-level production.
His elder brother, Olivier Sarr, is currently on the Oklahoma City Thunder, going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft. He’s been on a two-way contract since 2021 and is hoping to eventually find his way onto the team’s rotation.
On the Spurs, Wembanyama and he would suck up all the open space on the court, especially at the rim. Smaller guards may have a speed advantage but will struggle with the enormous wingspans of both these big men, coupled with players like Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan. This could be the perfect addition to a rebuild that the Spurs don’t want to accelerate.
Top Prospects In The 2024 NBA Draft
There are many strong prospects that the Spurs and other teams will evaluate in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Ron Holland is a 6’6″ wing who could be the ideal versatile 3-and-D player many teams need. His offensive game is fluid and developed, as he can take players off the dribble and score in many ways.
Nikola Topic is the next international sensation making his way to the NBA, as the 6’6″ Serbian point guard could add to the NBA’s growing list of gigantic point guards who can read the floor expertly as well as score in a variety of ways. Along with Topic, we also have Bronny James’ teammate Isaiah Coller, who is a 6’5″ slasher who will attack the rim fearlessly while hoping to dish out dimes at the highest level.
Sarr will likely follow these prospects on my draft list right now, but the NBA season has just begun. We have over 6 months until the 2024 NBA Draft, as these prospects could rise or fall dramatically by the time we’re in June. But with Sarr’s size and skillset, it’s hard to imagine the French sensation falling out of the top five at the moment.
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