In what is being hailed as a significant development in the basketball landscape, French prodigy Alexandre Sarr has penned a deal with the Perth Wildcats for the upcoming 2023/24 NBL season, coming onboard as part of the prestigious Next Stars program.
Standing tall at 7 feet, Sarr is a tantalising prospect that has NBA teams taking notice with a captivating mix of physical stature, impressive reach, athletic prowess, and adaptability to the court.
How interested are NBA teams? As it stands, ESPN’s 2024 NBA mock draft places him as the 17th pick. However, given his considerable potential, Sarr could see his draft stock surge with a strong performance in the NBL.
The past two years have seen Sarr honing his skills at the Overtime Elite (OTE) in the United States. At OTE, he has rubbed shoulders with and competed against, some of the most promising young talents in the world. Now, he’s geared up to take his game to the next level in the NBL.
Before his stint at OTE, Sarr played in Spain with Real Madrid’s Cadet A Youth Team. He has also made his mark in France’s national team program, helping his team clinch a bronze medal at the 2022 U17 World Cup, boasting an average of 12 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks.
As he prepares to touch down in Perth this July, Sarr is eager to meet his new teammates and make his presence felt. He’s excited about his first foray into Australia and can’t wait to embrace the challenge.
“It feels great, it’s a new experience for me, I’ve never been near Australia before, but I can’t wait to take on the challenge,” he said.
“I’ve really liked what I’ve seen when I’ve watched some Wildcats games, the way they play, RAC Arena and the fans are crazy, and I just wanted to be a part of it and build my own legacy through it.
“I’m looking forward to getting on the court with my teammates and competing and trying to do my best every day.”
Sarr’s explosive finishing near the basket and his defensive versatility will provide much-needed assets for Coach John Rillie. Rillie praised Sarr’s youth, athleticism, and potential, acknowledging these as the key attributes that drew the club to him.
“He will bring length, rim protection and a dimension to our defense we haven’t had, his natural offensive skills will be a natural fit,“ Rillie said.
“Securing a Next Star is something the club has been looking at over the last couple of seasons and we feel Alex ticks the boxes that we are looking for in a Next Star.”
Watch: Alexandre Sarr Highlights
Feature image: wildcats.com.au
Perth Wildcats kick off the 23/24 NBL season on Friday, September 29 at RAC Arena. View the full Perth Wildcats schedule.
