Alex Sarr Bio
Alexandre Dam Sarr is a French professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on 26 April 2005 in Bordeaux, France, he plays the center and power forward positions and stands seven feet tall. Selected second overall in the 2024 NBA draft, he is widely regarded as one of the most promising young big men in the league.
Before joining the Wizards, Sarr built his reputation with the Perth Wildcats in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) and with Overtime Elite teams in the United States. Known for his length, shot-blocking, and developing offensive game, he continues a family tradition in basketball that traces back to his father and older brother.
Early Life and Background
Alexandre Dam Sarr was born on 26 April 2005 in Bordeaux, France, and grew up in a household shaped by the sport of basketball. He started playing the game at the age of four, developing his skills in Bordeaux before later moving to Toulouse. His early environment, surrounded by family members who competed at high levels, gave him a strong foundation in the fundamentals of the game.
Sarr is of Senegalese descent, and basketball runs deep in his family. His father, Massar, is a former professional basketball player from Senegal, and his older brother, Olivier Sarr, plays in the NBA for the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 2019, at the age of fourteen, Sarr joined the youth program of Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid Baloncesto, where he spent two seasons refining his game against top European competition.
Path to Professional Basketball
In 2021, Sarr moved to the United States to join the newly established Overtime Elite league in Atlanta, which offered a professional pathway for elite teenagers with a guaranteed minimum salary. He played his first season with Team Overtime and his second with the YNG Dreamerz, earning second-team All-OTE honors in 2022–23. The Overtime Elite experience allowed him to compete against other top prospects while continuing his physical development.
On 9 May 2023, Sarr signed with the Perth Wildcats of the Australian National Basketball League as part of the league’s Next Stars program, joining the team for the 2023–24 season. He entered the year as a highly touted draft prospect and finished the season averaging 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 0.9 assists in 17 minutes per game, helping Perth reach the NBL playoff semifinals.
Alex Sarr Career
Overtime Elite (2021–2023)
Sarr began his professional career in Overtime Elite, playing first for Team Overtime from 2021 to 2022 and then for the YNG Dreamerz from 2022 to 2023. The Atlanta-based league provided him with a structured professional schedule and high-level coaching during his teenage years.
During his second Overtime Elite season, Sarr was recognized with second-team All-OTE honors, signaling his emergence as one of the top young big men in the program. His play during this period helped establish him as a legitimate NBA draft prospect.
Perth Wildcats Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Sarr joined the Perth Wildcats in May 2023 as part of the NBL’s Next Stars program, designed to develop top international draft prospects. He quickly became one of the most talked-about young players in the league, drawing attention from NBA scouts throughout the 2023–24 season.
On 27 January 2024, he set a new career high with 18 points and five blocks in a 103–91 win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix. Earlier, on 28 December, he had suffered a hip strain against the Adelaide 36ers that sidelined him for roughly four weeks. He finished the campaign averaging 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game while helping Perth reach the NBL playoff semifinals.
Washington Wizards Era (2024–Present)
Sarr declared for the 2024 NBA draft on 12 April 2024 and was selected second overall by the Washington Wizards on 26 June 2024. His selection came alongside fellow Frenchmen Zaccharie Risacher, picked first overall by Atlanta, and Tidjane Salaün, picked sixth by Charlotte, making France the first foreign nation to place at least three players in the top ten of a single NBA draft. He signed his rookie contract with the Wizards on 6 July 2024.
In his NBA debut on 24 October 2024, Sarr recorded two points, five rebounds, one assist, and two blocks. He was later named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for December and, on 15 March 2025, exploded for a career-high 34 points, six rebounds, and five assists in a 126–123 win over the Denver Nuggets, becoming the youngest player in Wizards history to record a 30-plus-point game. He finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2025.
Playing Style and Strengths
Sarr is known for his elite shot-blocking instincts, length, and mobility for a seven-footer, allowing him to protect the rim and switch onto smaller defenders on the perimeter. He continues to develop his offensive game, showing flashes of perimeter shooting and finishing ability around the basket. His combination of size, defensive upside, and improving skill set makes him a central piece of the Wizards’ long-term plans.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Sarr’s signature moments are his 18-point, five-block performance with the Perth Wildcats in January 2024 and his career-high 34-point outburst against the Denver Nuggets in March 2025. Being part of the historic 2024 French draft class, alongside Risacher and Salaün, also stands as a defining early-career milestone.
Alex Sarr Career Highlights
Across his time in Overtime Elite, the NBL, and the NBA, Sarr has built a resume marked by steady progression and growing responsibility at every level. He earned All-OTE Second Team honors in 2023 and capped his rookie NBA season with a selection to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2025.
NBA Highlights
Selected second overall by the Washington Wizards in 2024, Sarr quickly established himself as one of the top rookies in his class. He was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for December and finished the season on the NBA All-Rookie First Team, placing fourth in Rookie of the Year voting.
Other Wins and Performances
With the Perth Wildcats, Sarr helped the team reach the NBL playoff semifinals in 2023–24 while posting averages of 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. He also represented France at multiple youth international tournaments, helping the country earn bronze at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup and silver at the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup.
Alex Sarr Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Sarr comes from a basketball family with roots in Senegal. His father, Massar, is a former professional basketball player from Senegal, and his older brother, Olivier Sarr, plays in the NBA for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Growing up around the game in Bordeaux and Toulouse helped shape Alexandre’s early development and inspired his path toward a professional career.
Personal Life
Sarr is of Senegalese descent and maintains close ties to his family, who have supported his career from his earliest days in French basketball through his move to Spain, the United States, Australia, and finally the NBA. He continues to focus on his development as a young professional athlete in the early stages of his NBA journey.
2025 Season Performance
Alex Sarr’s 2024–25 rookie campaign with the Washington Wizards has been one of growth and notable individual milestones. After a measured start, he earned Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors in December, signaling his increasing impact on the floor. His season peaked on 15 March 2025, when he scored a career-high 34 points in a win over the Denver Nuggets, becoming the youngest player in franchise history to reach the 30-point mark.
Sarr finished his rookie year on the NBA All-Rookie First Team and placed fourth in Rookie of the Year voting behind winner Stephon Castle, Zaccharie Risacher, and Jaylen Wells. His defensive presence, particularly as a rim protector, and his steadily expanding offensive game have made him a foundation piece for the Wizards’ rebuild.
Looking ahead, Sarr joined the France senior national team ahead of EuroBasket 2025, debuting with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting in an 81–75 win over Montenegro on 5 August 2025. He played in the first group phase game before an ankle injury against Slovenia ended his tournament. As he moves beyond his rookie season, Sarr is positioned as a central figure in Washington’s long-term plans and in France’s next generation of international basketball talent.
