Will Victor Wembanyama’s successor really be French next night at the Barclay Center in New York? Although we have been preparing for it for several months, we still have difficulty realizing that after 76 years without placing a player in the top 5 of the NBA Draft, French basketball is preparing to win twice in a row. . The Frenchies Zacharie Risacher and Alexandre Sarr (both 19 years old) are in fact announced by all the American specialists neck and neck to sign a historic double at the top of this undecided 2024 Draft, announced relatively poor in very great talents.
If Zaccharie Risacher made a name for himself throughout the season with JL Bourg, being voted best youngster in Betclic Elite and Eurocoupe, a great mystery surrounds Alexandre Sarr. Because after having played several clubs in the Toulouse region, the native of Bordeaux left the French team at the age of 14.
“Despite his 2.16 m, he runs at a crazy pace”
Head to the youth categories of the prestigious Real Madrid, from 2019 to 2021, before intensifying travel, from the United States to Australia. Far, very far from our radars. “Everyone shapes their own path to try to aim for the NBA, and Alexandre wanted to discover other cultures,” summarizes Lamine Kebehis coach last summer during the U19 World Cup. Finalist of the event with Zaccharie Risacher and the Bleuets having defeated the American ogre in the semi-finals, Alexandre Sarr took advantage of the opportunity to put a bunch of NBA scouts in his pocket, despite not so crazy individual figures (7.4 points, 5, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks on average).
“ Alex is not a statistical leader but he is everywhere on the field. He was a central player for our team. His profile is exceptional, because despite his 2.16 m, he runs at a crazy pace. It’s simple, he is as fast as the outside players. So he has the profile of the player of the future. »
Well, this is typically the expression that kept coming back a year ago to accompany the hype unprecedented across the Atlantic from our “Wemby”. But let’s stop the flaming straight away, we are not dealing here with such a phenomenon programmed to revolutionize the league from its rookie season. No, Alexandre Sarr remains an interior having had limited responsibilities for the first professional season of his career in Perth, in the Australian championship (9.4 points in 27 games).
“Among the best defenders in the NBA within three years”
“We must take into account his 17 minutes of playing time on average,” specifies Danny Mills, general manager of the Perth Wildcats. Alex came off the bench for us and if we report his stats over 40 minutes, that would give 20 points and 10 rebounds. For such a young player, his adaptation in our championship has been impressive. » And this with above all defensive qualities. “He is a rim protector, an elite defender, and the basis for him will be to immediately have a defensive impact on his future NBA franchise,” Danny Mills projects. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him be named one of the best defensemen in the league in three or four years. »
According to his now ex-Australian manager, Alexandre Sarr is also “an offensive threat with a lot of agility for a player of such size” The younger brother ofOlivier Sarr (25 years old and 2.08 m), who is struggling to establish himself sustainably in the NBA with OKC, had previously taken part in the first two seasons of the project Overtime Elite in Atlanta (from 2021 to 2023). He then preferred to leave this American league bringing together many prospects from 16 to 20 years old to join the Next Star program, which promotes the support of young talents in the National Basketball League (NBL).
His 43 points in two games in Las Vegas change everything
Like his compatriots Ousmane Dieng and Ryan Rupert the two previous years, Alexandre Sarr was seduced by this entry into the professional world before applying for the NBA Draft. “Our program has proven itself over the last few seasons,” says Liam Santamaria, Next Star recruiting manager. In Australia, there is a high pace, physical basketball, and the US franchises know that if a player performs in the NBL, there is a good chance that the transition will go well in the NBA. Alex had a unique journey that was very well planned by his parents and him. »
Just like its exhibition, which did not drag on with two Perth Wildcats friendly matches organized in September 2023 in Las Vegas against the G League Ignite Team. Well, the same poster that “Wemby” was entitled to with Boulogne-Levallois a year earlier. Imagine that the Bordeaux region also struck a major blow, with 43 combined points on these two gala meetings.
“ In two games, he really put his name in the race for number one in the Draft by being fantastic. Alex’s presence in our squad clearly counted in the fact that the NBA invited us to Las Vegas. There were around a hundred people there working for NBA franchises, and from then on, there was no longer the slightest doubt about his talent. Besides, there were American scouts at each of our matches this season. »
“It would be unfair to compare him to Wembanyama”
Living all season with his parents in a house on the beach in Perth, Alexandre Sarr is not likely to regret his Australian choice, as opposed to the 100% French curriculum of his friend from the French youth teams Zaccharie Risacher. “He is a young man who has shown throughout this experience that he has fantastic maturity, praise Liam Santamaria. He got used to being observed everywhere by scouts and NBA executives. That’s why I don’t think the pressure of a very high draft pick will bother him. »
Even in the event of a contract with the Atlanta Hawks, which would mean that he was called first by Adam Silver on the night of Wednesday to Thursday (from 2 a.m.), as “Wemby” on June 22, 2023? “It would be unfair to compare him to an absolute generational talent like Victor Wembanyama,” said Danny Mills. Alex is a completely different prospect. Expectations will be high about him but with his humility, his unique background, and the challenges he has already taken on at a young age, he will know how to be a successful NBA player. »
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The one who already surrounds himself with Bill Duffy, notably agent of Luka Doncic, will therefore in less than 24 hours be a player from Atlanta, Washington, even Houston… or San Antonio (the first four choices of this 2024 Draft) , just like Zacharie Risacher. “It shows to what extent French training is envied throughout the world,” relishes Lamine Kébé. This was the case before Victor, and he increased our rating in the NBA even more. » By the way, we haven’t yet spoken to you about Nolan TraoreAt 18, the phenomenal playmaker from Saint-Quentin is a very serious candidate for the top pick for the 2025 Draft. Never two without three?