Inside The Wizards

Wizards Rookie Explains Changes in NBA

The Washington Wizards have a rookie adjusting to the NBA game.

Jeremy Brener

Nov 13, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr (20) enters Frost Bank Center before a game against the San Antonio Spurs. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Nov 13, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr (20) enters Frost Bank Center before a game against the San Antonio Spurs. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images / Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
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Washington Wizards rookie center Alex Sarr played at a very high level in France before making his way to the NBA.

However, the two leagues are very different and an adjustment period needs to be had for Sarr.

“The level of the players, the pace and I feel like every player can keep the defense honest. You can't hide on defense so I feel like that's the biggest difference,” Sarr said about things that are different in the NBA compared to France.

Sarr prides himself in being a defensive specialist, and that is why the Wizards took him with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. He is still managing to find ways to have an impact on that end of the floor, but it's been hard for the French big man. The Wizards have lost 13 consecutive games with Sarr leading the way as the starting center in each of those losses.

Though the losing can be a challenge, Sarr is more focused on his individual game and development as opposed to wins and losses for his rookie year.

“I mean I'm trying to get better at everything,” Sarr said. “Defensively I think I can still be a better defender on the ball, a better shot blocker. So I couldn't really pick just one thing.”

Sarr has plenty of work to do, and so do the rest of the Wizards if they wish to escape this 13-game losing streak that they find themselves in the middle of.

Sarr and the young Wizards will look to win their first game in November as they take on Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET inside Fiserv Forum on Saturday evening.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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