"I've looked at Anthony Davis, Jaren Jackson Jr clips": Alexandre Sarr on his NBA role models and more (Exclusive)
Technically, practice ended. In reality, Alexandre Sarr’s work continued.
The Washington Wizards’ No. 2 pick sat with coach Brian Keefe over a 45-minute film session. The two dissected defensive rotations. They also analyzed his two Summer League games in a 94-88 win over Atlanta (12 points on 4-for-12 shooting, seven rebounds, four blocks, four assists) and in a 109-91 loss to the Houston Rockets (eight points on 4-for-14 shooting, four rebounds, two assists, two blocks).
Afterward, Sarr spoke with Sportskeeda about various topics about his defensive potential and which NBA defensive players he studies. Sarr gave perspective on the French’s growing presence in the NBA and its chances to win a gold medal in the Paris Olympics.
Alex Sarr interview (Exclusive)
Editor’s note: The following one-on-one conversation has been edited and condensed
How has the Summer League gone?
Sarr: “It’s been good. We lost, but we’ve been learning and getting better as a team. I’m getting used to the NBA game out there and trying new things. I’m trying to be impactful the most that I can. My defense is something that I’m always going to bring, no matter what happens offensively.”
What things are you trying to get used to with the NBA game?
Sarr: “It’s a really fast-paced game. There are a lot of ups and downs. As a young player, that is something that I have to get used to. The physicality in Summer League is kind of the same as that of the NBL. Down there, there are a lot of big guys, too. It’s just about practice and getting a lot of reps.
I saw Keefe talked to you extensively after practice and going over film. What feedback has he given you?
Sarr: “We’re just going through little examples. He’s showing me things where I could’ve had a better placement on defense, or some different reads that I could make. It’s always nice to have someone pick your brain a little bit to make you think about what to do in a game. We’re talking about defensive shell. We have a hard shell with the Wizards. Everybody has to be at a certain place on the court. You have to adjust to that.”
What was it like to go head-to-head with Zaccharie Risacher [the Hawks' No. 1 pick]?
Sarr: “It was really nice. I knew him from three years ago. It’s always nice when I’m able to play against him. It was a great game. We played for the same team and same national team. We were competing on the same team, so we were trying to win a medal with France. It was always nice getting together in the summer.”
I talked with your Australia coach, John Rillie. Because of your strengths as a rim protector, Rillie projected you can have a similar defensive impact as Chet Holmgren does with Oklahoma City. How do you view that?
Sarr: “I know that I’m a good rim protector. That’s something that I am definitely trying to bring to the table on day one. That’s me being able to alter shots at the rim, blocking shots at the rim and altering 3s.”
Which defensive players in the league have you studied?
Sarr: “I studied the whole league, really. I just see how different guys guard. There are a lot of different great shot blockers. I’ve looked at AD (Anthony Davis), Jaren Jackson Jr. and Rudy Gobert clips. For me, it’s more a matter of instincts and knowing when to go for the ball and knowing when not to go.”
How did you develop your instincts on your different teams?
Sarr: “I think it’s just learning in-game. Sometimes, you can do certain stuff. You commit too early and you see it doesn’t work, then you adjust. You keep that in your mind to be a better shot blocker.”
With AD, Jaren Jackson and Rudy Gobert, what things do you pick up on the things they do to be great defensive players?
Sarr: “They slide their feet really well. They’re able to time really well when to go and when not to go so they’re not a reckless shot blocker.”
Rollie credited your growth as a passer. What sparked that growth?
Sarr: “That’s just getting reps in practice and knowing how to make the right read. That’s something that is important. That makes you an even better player when you’re able to pass the ball and make your teammates better.”
This may be tied together. But he also observed that you’re always trying to empower your teammates. What approach do you take with that?
Sarr: “Just holding everybody accountable just like I like to be held accountable. That way we’re all on the same page. That’s really how you get the best out of guys. It’s also about leading by example.”
Rollie then said your next steps are to improve your rebounding and finishing at the rim. I also saw your coach [Cody Toppert] said “We want to see a little bit of a killer come out.” How do you view those things?
Sarr: “I agree. I can always be more physical. Rebounding is definitely something that I’m working on. It’s something that I’m trying to take a step in. You got to hit your guy first and get the ball early. It’s not really rocket science. You have to be locked in, and have that mindset to chase the rebounds.”
What do you think playing with Jonas Valanciunas will do for you?
Sarr: “I think it’ll be really nice for me to learn from him. Obviously, he’s a great vet. He’s been in the league for a long time. Just me seeing how he goes about every-day work is definitely going to help me. He’s able to grab a lot of rebounds. He’s a defensive presence. He can stretch the floor too, sometimes, to step out for some 3s. I think he has a really complete game, and I can’t wait to get to work and practice against him and play with him in games.”
Given all of this, what are your expectations for yourself your rookie season?
Sarr: “I want to be an impactful player for the team. I want to make an impact on both ends of the floor. I want to make the right reads. And I want to help my team win.”
To what extent is it a goal to win Rookie of the Year and landing on an All-Defensive team?
Sarr: “Those things take care of themselves. You can only control what you do day in and day out. That’s something that I can’t control. We’ll see what happens. I’m just locked in on what I can do with impacting the game.”
Your father (Massar) played professionally in Senegal and France. Your older brother (Olivier) played with Oklahoma City. What basketball lessons have they passed along to you?
Sarr: “A lot. They really love the game. We talk about basketball every day. Some things they tell me is just to enjoy it. Enjoy the moment and compete. Summer League is only something that you experience a couple of times. I didn’t really see my dad play that much. But what I take away from my brother is with how hard he plays. I think he’s a really great defender, too. He can step out and stretch the floor. He has a lot of things to his game.”
You said in another interview that Tony Parker was the French player that motivated you. How so?
Sarr: “He was inspiring to me. When you’re young and watching the national team and you see a guy that plays for France and in the NBA winning titles, it’s definitely inspiring as a young guy.”
Which current or past French players do you consider mentors?
Sarr: “There were a few that inspired me. Boris Diaw and Nicolas Batum were the first ones that I saw in the NBA. Seeing them play in the NBA and being from France, back in the day that was something that was rarer than now. I was really young watching their games. I think both of them are really unselfish. They have that sense of how to play for a team.”
Nico, Rudy and Victor [Wembanyama] are among the NBA players that will play for France in the Paris Olympics. What will it take to win gold and possibly get past the U.S. to get it?
Sarr: “They have a team that can go pretty far. I’m excited to see how it turns out. The U.S. is obviously a great team. But it all depends on how they play. In the game, anything can happen. So we’ll see.”
What do you take away from the Tokyo games? France lost to the U.S. in the gold-medal game, but it was close. And in the preliminary round, France beat the U.S.
Sarr: “It just shows how good they are. The international game is growing and growing. France is only going to get better. It was exciting to see that they could do that a few years back.”
What does it mean that three French players were in the top six of this year’s NBA draft? (Atlanta Hawks drafted Riscaher at No. 1, Wizards selected Sarr at No. 2 and Charlotte Hornets picked Tidjane Salaun at No. 6).
Sarr: “It’s great to see. It shows that French basketball is growing. In the next year, there are going to be even more French players. I think France can become a powerhouse for NBA players. You see a lot of versatile players that can pretty much do everything and are really focused on defense. That’s one quality that French players have in the league.”
With you playing in France, in Australia and with Overtime Elite, in what ways do you think those experiences will help you both during your rookie season and beyond?
Sarr: “It helps me to adapt to new situations. Being part of all of that, it allows me to be in a new environment. I get to know my new coaches and my new teammates. That’s definitely something that helps me right now with getting to know these guys. When you play, there are a lot of people watching the games. You have to be ready for it. That is definitely something that gets me ready for the league.”
Mark Medina is an NBA insider for Sportskeeda. Follow him on X, Instagram, Facebook and Threads.