Alexandre Sarr: Breaking Down 7 Things On The Scouting Report That Sets Him Apart In The NBA Draft
Alexandre Sarr is the prototypical modern day NBA seven footer. In the NBL he came off the bench for the Perth Wildcats. Sarr only played approximately 17 minutes per game on average. Yet the potential which oozed out of the coordinated, agile, fluid, long, lean and athletic forward while he moved around the court naturally like a guard was in abundance in a limited amount of playing time.
Similar to Cody Williams and his brother, many are asking “Is Alex Sarr related to Oliver Sarr?” Yes, Alexandre Sarr also has an older brother (Olivier Sarr) that currently plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Alexandre aspires to win an NBA championship and one day play with his brother at the next level. But what will NBA teams get from the younger Sarr?
- An athletic, versatile, mobile and fluid 7-footer
- A player that can make an impact in both sides of the floor.
- A 7-footer that can potentially play the 3 through 5.
- A big with the potential to develop into a defender who can guard all five spots.
- Work on the offensive glass
- Scoring
- A Help defender with length to disrupt and block shots.
- A reliable big from the charity stripe.
Sarr is one of the best 2024 NBA prospects. With Nikola Topic out with injuries, lately there is one less prospect in the conversation with Sarr, who is currently projected as one of the potential 1st picks in the 2024 NBA Draft. Let’s take a look at what you will find in the scouting report for one of the draft’s most fascinating prospects of 2024.
What Will You Find On Alexandre Sarr’s Scouting Reports?
#1. Sarr Is A 7-Footer Who Attacks The Basket Off The Dribble Just As Well As Some Guards
As a 7-footer one of the most impressive aspects of Sarr’s game is his ability to attack the basket in a half court setting, against a press break, in early offense and transition in general. Sarr puts the ball on the floor very well for his size. However, his footwork can improve when attacking against closeouts. At times he shuffles feet and travels before putting the ball on the deck.
Sarr poses a legitimate threat to the opposition when the ball is in his hand; especially when leading the break or when his team breaks a press. Once he crosses the half court mark, Sarr looks to aggressively attack downhill before the defense sets or when spotting openings in the half court that lead to the basket.
His skill set allows him to attack on a straight line or change directions just as effectively as some guards. It’s very satisfying to watch this big man go behind his back, between the legs, keep defenders off balance with in & outs, and crossovers in a controlled manner. Plus he gets into the paint, where he uses jump-stops and spin moves fluidly to set up field goal attempts.
#2. Moves Extremely Well For Size While Putting Agility And Foot Speed On Full Display In The Open Floor
In addition to leading a break Sarr is also effective at attacking the basket when filling the lanes. His agility and foot speed are often on full display in the open floor. Sarr moves very well for his size and runs the floor hard.
He gets up and down in transition. Also, because of his ability to put the ball on the deck, Sarr is more than equipped to make or finish a play after the advance pass finds him up court in transition or when breaking a press. Side steps are used effectively to evade defenders blocking his path to the basket.
#3. A Good Finisher That Will Become Even Better When He Builds The Confidence To Trust His Left Hand
When cutting, picking & rolling or being found with drive & dish passes, Sarr is an above average option to finish plays at the rim. However, his hands can be suspect. Passes that touch him aren’t guaranteed to stick. If the pass isn’t perfect there’s a moderate chance he may bobble the ball or not make the catch. But, in the same breath it’s unfair to say that his hands are bad because he does catch most passes thrown his way.
After the catch is made or a bobbled pass is recovered, Sarr has the focus and footwork to make and finish plays. Especially, in the midst of chaos, while the defense scrambles around him. Sarr uses a solid combination of power dribbles, jump stops, dropping shoulders into a defender’s chest, rotating on his pivot and step-throughs to find or create a path to the rim and set up field goal attempts.
As mentioned, Sarr is a good finisher but there’s much room for growth in this area of his game. There are times when he contorts his body mid-air to accommodate the use of his right-hand when it would be easier and better suited to use his left hand to finish a field goal attempt. Also, you’ll see moments where he puts in the work to set up a field goal attempt then come up short or miss badly.
He doesn’t appear 100 percent confident or comfortable finishing with his left hand at this stage of his career. In addition to layups, Sarr can finish above the rim with strong athletic flushes. He’s also capable of drawing fouls and getting to the charity strip where he has a soft touch and a fluid stroke.
#4. The Potential To Grow And Develop His Jump Shot Is There
Sarr is more than capable of knocking down jump shots from mid and long distance. However, there’s not much lift on his elevation and he’s occasionally way off the mark with his jumper. The frequency at which he connects on long distance shots is not yet at a level that you would like to see.
Even with all of that said, whether on spot-ups, pick & pops or when creating his shot you see the potential for this part of his game to develop with time and repetition. His shot mechanics, form and release are fluid for a 7-footer shooting off the dribble or when catching & shooting.
#5. A respectable Passer But Is Plagued By Indecisiveness
Sarr can execute dribble handoffs and find teammates with drive, draw & kick-out passes. When he’s leading the break Sarr is capable of finding his teammates at the basket. Plus, he looks very comfortable handling the ball and making the pass in those type of situations.
On the flip side, Sarr can be weak and indecisive with his passes on occasion. These lazy passes and indecisiveness often lead to missed opportunities, travels and intercepted passes.
#6. Covers A Lot Of Ground On The Defensive End
Sarr covers a lot of ground quickly on the defensive end of the floor. He’s a coordinated big that slides his feet very well which allows him to stay with ball handlers from end to end. Plus he gets active when switching, showing & recovering, providing help defense, fighting through screens and contesting shooters. In pick & roll situations, if ever beat on a switch his length and agility make it possible for him to recover to contest, disrupt and block shots.
While he may not be the most physically strong defender, he will put forth a lot of effort to defend against back down attempts. When contesting and disrupting shots at the rim he walls up and is quick off his feet. However, he’s not a player that would be classified as an aggressive or dominate shot blocker even though he does block shots.
Sarr is a solid help defender that reacts quickly to meet drivers in the paint and at the basket. He does a good job of walling up on the ground or after leaving his feet. With his vertical length extended he deters shot attempts and takes clean looks away. Plus he is at times a catalyst for turnovers and forces drivers to rethink their shot attempts or pass off altogether.
Around the basket he ping pongs from man to man while contesting and disrupting field goal attempts with relative ease because he moves and gets off his feet so quickly. Sarr fully commits, sometimes over committing when providing help defense around the rim. So his man is often left wide open at the basket. Any team he plays for would benefit greatly from a solid help the helper defensive scheme when he’s on the floor.
#7. Decent On the Offensive Glass But More To Be Desired On The Defensive Glass
Sarr is decent on the offensive boards. He has the ability to work the glass and clean up missed shots because of his ability to get off his feet quickly. Plus he would grab more offensive boards just by merely being around the basket more. But, on the defensive glass there’s room for improvement.
Sarr is not be much of a defensive rebounder at this stage of his career. However, he’s more than capable of rebounding missed shots after contesting on the perimeter or at the basket. He uses a combination of quick foot speed and quick second or third jumps to reel in his boards.
Unfortunately, he’s often not the first to get to the spots where rebounds come off the rim. Also, at times of being physically outmatched he’s unable to establish position or box out properly. But, when he secures boards he’s able to advance the ball with his dribble under control.
Height: 7’ 1”
Weight: 216 LBS
Wingspan: 7’ 5” (Unofficial)
Position: PF|SF|C
Hometown: Toulouse, France
DOB: 4/25/2005 (19 yrs old)
2023-24 NBL Season Stats Per Game
| GP | MIN | PPG | FG% | FT% | 2P% | 3P% | RPG | AST | ST | BLK | TO | PF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 17.3 | 9.4 | 52.0 | 71.0 | 60.8 | 29.0 | 4.3 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.4 |
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