The 2024 NBA Draft might not have the star power of last year’s class but there’s plenty of intrigue as to who will be the top selection because there’s no clear-cut No. 1 prospect. For a long period of time. NBL forward Alex Sarr was favored to be the top pick and could still go to the Hawks when the event actually gets going. Here’s how Sarr profiles as a NBA prospect ahead of the draft.
Alex Sarr Draft Profile
Sarr went to the NBL for his “gap year” between high school and the NBA, putting up decent numbers in what has become a competitive league. He flashed his defensive versatility but wasn’t able to dominate on the offensive end. He has a great physical profile and the potential is there for him to become an impact player, although there are some limitations that might prevent him from going No. 1 overall.
Strengths
If you want a star defender in the making, Sarr is your guy. He can block shots, lock up wings and has the speed to hang with some perimeter players despite his size. He’s a fierce rebounder as well, which plays into his defensive ability. He has solid ball-handling skills for his size and is able to finish at the rim effectively, though he isn’t going to dominate opposing defenders or command a ton of touches.
Weaknesses
There’s no shot to speak of yet, which isn’t to say it can’t develop. His free-throw percentage is solid enough to suggest he can stretch the floor eventually. This hole in his game will be exploited more in the NBA, as opponents won’t close out on him as much to make him hit jumpers. Sarr isn’t shy about taking shots though, which makes him different from the likes of Ben Simmons.
Player comparison: Jerami Grant
Sarr is taller than Grant but I can see him becoming a similar type of player over time. Grant had very little offensive ability when he first came into the league, but blossomed into a starting forward for a few contenders before eventually getting thrown big money from languishing teams hoping to raise their floor. Sarr could eventually be that guy, but it’s hard to see the path to stardom for him without the offensive game coming around.
