It doesn’t look like NBA Draft prospect Alex Sarr will have to wait too long to hear his name called on draft night.
In ESPN’s latest 2024 NBA Draft Rankings, Jeremy Woo projected that Sarr is an option for the Atlanta Hawks with the No. 1 pick but is unlikely to fall past the Washington Wizards, who hold the No. 2 pick.
“Sarr will be one of the first names off the board on June 26, but the situation at the top of the draft has yet to fully play out,” Woo wrote. “He is firmly in the mix as an option for Atlanta at No. 1, but the Hawks are being thorough in gathering information as they move toward their decision. If Atlanta passes on Sarr, Washington is strongly shaping up as a landing spot, with rival teams believing the Wizards at No. 2 to be his floor.”
Woo and Jonathan Givony ranked Sarr as the No. 2 prospect available in the latest ranking, behind forward Zaccharie Risacher. Both Risacher and Sarr are French, which could mean that a French player is taken No. 1 in two consecutive drafts after the San Antonio Spurs selected Victor Wembanyama No. 1 in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Sarr averaged 9.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 24 games for Perth of the National Basketball League in Australia. He is listed at 7’1″, 224 pounds and could really help a team in need of a strong presence by the hoop.
The Hawks went 36-46 and reached the play-in tournament but did not advance to the postseason. It obtained the No. 1 pick after winning the draft lottery, and incumbent center Clint Capela is rumored to be on the trade block.
While this could clear a starting path for Sarr, Atlanta will surely make the pick that it views as the most pressing need. Washington, however definitely could be in the market for a young center after trading Daniel Gafford at the trade deadline.
The Wizards went 15-67 and are in the midst of a rebuild, so going with the best player available is in its best interest. Woo projects that Sarr could fit that description, so it appears like his possible destinations are down to two franchises.
The first round of the 2024 NBA Draft will take place June 26 at 8 P.M. ET.