NBA superstar Paul George has offered NBA draft prospect Alexandre Sarr some words of advice on his podcast, ‘Podcast P with Paul George’, and has called on the former Perth Wildcat to ensure he is a great locker room presence at whichever team he lands at.
Sarr has been universally praised throughout the Wildcats organisation for his maturity and willingness to learn, with club captain Jesse Wagstaff recently stating in an interview with NBL Media.
“To come in as an 18-year-old kid with the maturity he displayed, he was willing to learn, he was exceptionally coachable … to me, that’s a mature and unselfish mindset and both of those things are hugely commendable.”
The Atlanta Hawks currently hold the number one selection in the draft, while the Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards hold the second and third picks respectively.
George told Sarr anything he does on and off the court while a member of the team that drafts him will become known by franchises all over the competition.
“I was always told this and it stuck with me at an early age and all the way through my career,” George said. “Whatever team drafts you, you play for them, but you have to understand you play for the other 29 teams as well.
“What I mean by that is they all talk, so what you do on a daily basis, other teams are going to know about. If there comes a moment they decide they don’t want you there anymore and they decide to move on or however it may be, they ultimately have the deciding factor of how your future is going to look.
“If you come in and you’re not a hard worker, you’re not a good locker room guy, all of that stuff is being reported back to other teams … that was a key lesson for myself in how to carry myself as a professional early on.
“Seize the moment for every team you’re on, because you don’t get a redo. The fact of the matter is you don’t get a second chance at any of this.”
Although Sarr’s main draft comparison is to that of fellow center and former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr, George believes Sarr could emulate the style of two-time MVP and 2021 NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Sarr’s comparison with Jackson Jr comes due to the pair’s immense length and rim protecting ability, and although Sarr says he believes his offensive game might be underrated, George believes he can fit into the Antetokounmpo archetype.
“I like the Giannis comparison, I like that Giannis is one of your favourite players,” George said.
“I kind of see a similar play style with the ability to get it off the rim, handle it, create, I think Giannis is the prototype of big men you play through, I love that comparison.”