Yes, he had a bad Summer League and a slow start to the regular season BUT as we approach the mid-way point in the season, how are you feeling about Alex Sarr? High expectations come with being the number two overall pick, has he earned your Rookie of the Year vote yet?
Alexandre Sarr can ball. At 7'1, he’s the rim protector that the Wizards have lacked since Marcin Gortat, averaging 1.6 blocks per game in his rookie campaign. He fits the mold of the modern-day Center with his ability to shoot the three-point and mid-range. He’s currently shooting 49% from mid-range and 32% from three. His rebounding, an area where he struggled while playing in Australia, has also been a bright spot. While he has improved week in and week out, he has areas where he can improve.
The Center position has had some of the best players in the history of the league in its ranks including Shaq, Hakeem, Patrick Ewing, and let’s not forget Bill Russell. Most, if not all of these players lacked one thing, the ability to shoot beyond the paint. The modern-day Center can not only shoot from three, they can put the ball on the floor and create for others but to be a well-rounded Center, you must dominate the paint. For Alex Sarr to play at an All-Star level, he must use his shooting ability to complement his paint game, not replace it.
Alex Sarr is an All-Star in the making. With second-year player Bilal Coulibaly making a break out so soon, if Sarr can improve and dominate within the next two years, the future is bright in DC. Add in the fact that the Wizards will be drafting in the top three in the 2025 NBA draft and there are many reasons to be excited about the future with the Wizards. We haven’t even talked about Carrington or George, which shows you how deep the Wizards are and can be. How soon can they return to the bright lights of the playoffs? Good question but I can say one thing, the Wizards have a great foundation going forward and it’s in the hands of the most important part of the process, the young core. Stay tuned.
