Alex Sarr vs Olivier Sarr: Height, wingspan, vertical and more compared
The Washington Wizards’ decision to make Alex Sarr the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft also put the spotlight on Olivier Sarr. Washington’s incoming rookie is the younger brother of the OKC Thunder center. The siblings are unlikely to face off anytime soon after the Thunder big man ruptured his Achilles in April.
The brothers’ journeys to the NBA could not have been more different. Alex, Washington’s potential franchise cornerstone, took his talents to Australia in the NBL to develop. After one season with the Perth Wildcats, he decided to turn pro.
Meanwhile, the older brother Olivier spent four years of college basketball before applying for the 2021 NBA Draft. He starred for Wake Forest for three seasons before playing for the Kentucky Wildcats in his final year of collegiate hoops. But unlike the NBL star, he went undrafted.
Although their basketball careers are quite different, the physical tools of Alex Sarr and Olivier Sarr are unsurprisingly a bit similar.
Alex Sarr vs Oliver Sarr height
Alex Sarr’s NBA Draft profile lists him as a 7-foot, 224-pound forward. The site also lists him as a big with skills and mobility that will make his defense stand out in his first year. Sarr did not shoot well during his stint in Australia so that is a part of his game that has to continue to develop to get more playing time.
Olivier Sarr’s profile with Basketball Reference puts him at 7-foot with a 237-pound frame. The older brother is a more ground-bound big man who can hit the occasional shot from outside. He was expected to be a role player by scouts when he made himself available for the 2021 NBA Draft.
The analysts got their predictions right as he has been on two-way contracts for most of his career. He is hoping to play in the NBA again after he recovers from a brutal Achilles injury.
Alex Sarr vs Olivier Sarr wingspan and vertical leap
The NBA Draft Combine in Chicago listed Alex Sarr as having a 7-foot-5 wingspan with a 37-inch vertical leap. His physical tools are part of the reason why scouts were enamored by his incredible potential. Right out of the gate, he will give the Washington Wizards a boost on the defensive end.
Last year, the Wizards were the third-worst team in the NBA in defensive rating. The arrival of Alex Sarr is expected to help them improve defensively.
In 2021, Kentucky had a Pro Day for some of its pro-bound players. Olivier Sarr was measured as having a 7-foot-3 wingspan with a 30-inch vertical leap. Even then, the older Sarr relied on positioning and strength more than agility and jumping ability to operate in the paint.
Alex Sarr got emotional when thanking older brother Olivier Sarr
Alex Sarr had trouble holding back his emotions when asked about his older brother Oliver Sarr’s influence and inspiration.
“Everything I’ve learned through him. … I know what it feels to go undrafted. For me to be able to be a top pick now is truly special.”
French basketball fans will be hoping to see the two of them compete against each other in the NBA in the future.