Wizards Season Hinges On Alex Sarr's Development

Alex Sarr is a focal point for the Washington Wizards this season.

Jeremy Brener | Oct 19, 2024

Oct 9, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr (20) rebounds during the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards shouldn't win too many games this season, but they could still have a successful year if they see some upside from Alex Sarr, the No. 2 overall pick out of France.

Sarr, 19, was viewed as the consensus No. 1 pick for most of last season before fellow countryman Zaccharie Risacher stepped in and became the top selection, which was made by the Atlanta Hawks.

Sarr still being on the board at the Wizards' turn made the team's decision very easy, as they took him to potentially become their power forward of the future.

Sarr did not look the part of a top pick during the Las Vegas Summer League, where he struggled mightily, especially with his shot. However, he has shown improvement during training camp and the preseason, and his jumper doesn't look as bad as it did back in Sin City.

Sarr is expected to go through many growing pains during his first season with the Wizards. However, the organization has time to allow him to make those mistakes without much pressure to contend in the standings. As a result, Sarr can go at his own pace without the threat of being benched or the pressure of other players coming and taking his spot.

As the highest overall pick in the organization, the Wizards are expected to build around Sarr, especially considering the team may never have another chance to select a player with a pick so high in the NBA Draft.

The Wizards will have to be patient, but if they can do that, Sarr will slowly emerge into the player that many anticipated he would be back during his professional career in France.

He is expected to make his official Wizards debut when the team hosts the Boston Celtics in the season opener on Thursday.

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Published Oct 19, 2024

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.