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, Sarr has made a name for himself in the basketball world, being selected second overall in the 2024 NBA draft. Before joining the Wizards, he displayed his skills with the Perth Wildcats in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) and played for the French youth national team. Known for his height and versatile playing style, Sarr is seen as a rising star in basketball, continuing the legacy of his family in the sport.
Early Life and Background
Alexandre Dam Sarr was born on 26 April 2005 in Bordeaux, France. He grew up in a family of basketball players, spending his earliest years in Bordeaux before later moving with his family to Toulouse. Surrounded by the sport from a young age, Sarr began playing basketball at the age of four, an early start that helped shape his development as a player.
In 2019, Sarr joined the Spanish club Real Madrid Baloncesto and spent two seasons with their youth team. That move into one of Europe’s most respected academy systems gave him experience with high-level coaching and a more competitive training environment. His father, Massar, is a former professional basketball player from Senegal, while his older brother, Olivier Sarr, plays in the NBA for the Toronto Raptors. Sarr is of Senegalese descent and is the younger brother of the Toronto Raptors center.
Path to Basketball
Sarr’s path to professional basketball began in Europe’s youth ranks, first within Real Madrid’s academy. His growth there positioned him for a move to the United States in 2021, when he joined the newly established Overtime Elite league in Atlanta. The league offered him an alternative professional pathway, providing a guaranteed minimum salary of at least $100,000 per year and a platform to develop in front of American scouts.
He played two seasons in Overtime Elite, beginning with Team Overtime during the 2021–22 season and then suiting up for the YNG Dreamerz in 2022–23. At the end of his second OTE campaign, Sarr earned second-team All-OTE honors, a recognition that helped raise his profile ahead of his next step. His performances with the French junior national team also strengthened his resume. He helped France win the FIBA U16 European Challengers in 2021, earn bronze at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup, and claim silver at the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup.
Alex Sarr Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
Alexandre Dam Sarr’s professional career began in 2021 with Overtime Elite. His first season with Team Overtime introduced him to a faster, more physical style of play, and he adapted quickly to the demands of the league. By his second season, he had moved to the YNG Dreamerz and emerged as one of the top young big men in the OTE, finishing the year with second-team All-OTE recognition.
During this period, Sarr also represented France at the junior international level, helping the country medal at three consecutive youth tournaments. Those international appearances, combined with his OTE production, established him as a high-priority prospect for NBA teams and set the stage for his move to Australia’s NBL.
NBL Breakthrough (2023–2024)
On 9 May 2023, Sarr signed with the Perth Wildcats of the Australian National Basketball League, joining the team through the league’s Next Stars program for the 2023–24 season. He entered the year as a highly touted draft prospect, with NBA scouts closely tracking his progress. The NBL’s professional environment gave him regular minutes against grown men, an important test for a teenage big man.
His season included a setback on 28 December, when he suffered a hip strain in a game against the Adelaide 36ers and missed the following four weeks. He returned strongly, and on 27 January 2024, he set a new career record with 18 points and five blocks in a 103–91 win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix. Sarr finished the NBL 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.
Washington Wizards Era (2024–Present)
Sarr declared for the 2024 NBA draft on 12 April 2024. On 26 June, he was selected second overall by the Washington Wizards. He was picked alongside fellow Frenchmen Zaccharie Risacher, who was drafted first overall by the Atlanta Hawks, and Tidjane Salaün, taken sixth by the Charlotte Hornets. That trio made France the first foreign nation to have at least three players selected in the top 10 of any NBA draft. Sarr signed his rookie contract with the Wizards on 6 July 2024.
He averaged 5.5 points and 7.8 rebounds across four Summer League games and opened his NBA career on 24 October with two points, five rebounds, one assist, and two blocks in his debut. In December, he was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month. His biggest night came on 15 March 2025, when he scored a career-high 34 points with 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.
Driving Style and Strengths
Off the court, Sarr is recognized for his height, mobility, and shot-blocking instincts, which allow him to protect the rim and still cover ground on the perimeter. He uses his length effectively as a defender while showing developing offensive skills around the basket and from mid-range. His willingness to compete against older players in the NBL helped him refine his conditioning and decision-making.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Sarr’s career include his selection as the second overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, his career-high 34-point game against the Denver Nuggets, and his placement on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He also finished fourth in the 2024–25 Rookie of the Year voting, behind Stephon Castle, Zaccharie Risacher, and Jaylen Wells. In August 2025, he made his senior national team debut for France, scoring 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting in an 81–75 win over Montenegro at EuroBasket 2025.
Alex Sarr Career Wins
Alexandre Dam Sarr’s verified career highlights include recognition as a top young prospect in multiple leagues and a strong rookie NBA season. While he has not yet won a major individual professional title, his selections to the All-OTE Second Team in 2022–23 and to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2024–25 reflect his rapid rise. He has also contributed to team success at the international youth level, helping France capture medals at the U16, U17, and U19 levels.
NBL Highlights
During the 2023–24 NBL season with the Perth Wildcats, Sarr delivered a strong campaign that helped him solidify his status as a top NBA prospect. He reached the NBL playoff semifinals with Perth and posted a career-best performance of 18 points and five blocks against the South East Melbourne Phoenix. He finished the year averaging 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 0.9 assists per game.
Other Wins and Performances
At the international level, Sarr helped France win the FIBA U16 European Challengers in 2021, take bronze at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup, and earn silver at the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup. He was also named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2024–25 after a strong debut season with the Washington Wizards.
Alex Sarr Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Sarr is of Senegalese descent and comes from a basketball family. His father, Massar, is a former professional basketball player from Senegal who introduced him to the sport at a young age. His older brother, Olivier Sarr, plays in the NBA for the Toronto Raptors, giving the family a strong presence at the highest level of the game.
Personal Life
Born and raised in France, Sarr moved to the United States in 2021 to join Overtime Elite, and later competed in Australia with the Perth Wildcats. He is focused on his professional career with the Washington Wizards and continues to represent France at the senior national team level. His older brother Olivier remains one of the most important influences in his basketball journey.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2024–25 NBA season, Sarr carved out a meaningful role with the Washington Wizards and showed steady growth. He opened the year with a debut on 24 October and was recognized as the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in December. His career-best 34-point performance against the Denver Nuggets on 15 March 2025 was the headline moment of his rookie campaign, breaking a long-standing Wizards franchise record.
Sarr closed his rookie season by being named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and finishing fourth in the overall Rookie of the Year vote. In the summer of 2025, he joined the French senior national team for EuroBasket 2025, scoring 20 points in his debut win over Montenegro before an ankle injury against Slovenia ended his tournament.