Inside The Wizards

Wizards Rookies Impress Against Magic

The Washington Wizards are seeing growth from their rookies.

Jeremy Brener

Nov 10, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Washington Wizards forward Alexandre Sarr (20), guard Carlton Carrington (8) and Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner (21) watch for the rebound during the second half at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Nov 10, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Washington Wizards forward Alexandre Sarr (20), guard Carlton Carrington (8) and Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner (21) watch for the rebound during the second half at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images / Mike Watters-Imagn Images
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ORLANDO — While the Washington Wizards fell to the Orlando Magic in Sunday night's loss at the Kia Center, the team's rookie class continued to take a step forward in their development.

While No. 14 overall pick Bub Carrington had just four points for the night, No. 24 overall selection Kyshawn George made four 3-pointers in the second quarter en route to a 15-point performance on an efficient 5 of 9 from the field.

“[He] Plays within himself, reads the game ... I thought we found him in the first half," Wizards coach Brian Keefe said postgame. "Got some easy threes for him. But that’s what he’s here for. Make shots.”

No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr may not have had a good shooting night, but he continued to be a menace on the defensive end recording two blocks and a steal.

“I think Alex is growing and learning every game or seeing things that he’s never seen before," Keefe said. "Thought he did a pretty good job early protecting the rim. Some pick and roll stuff that our team didn’t do a great job of. But I thought Alex came out and established a good presence at the rim early. We’ve got to keep helping him when he goes to shot block and help him on the boards.”

With Sarr's two blocks, he has 20 on the season. Per Extra Muse on X, Sarr has the second-most blocks of any teenager for the first eight games to start his career. Only Karl-Anthony Towns, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, has more.

The losses could begin to pile up for the Wizards, but as long as the young players continue to show growth, there will be some wins to be had in Washington.

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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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