Olivier Sarr Bio
Olivier Sarr is a French professional basketball player who most recently played for Raptors 905 of the NBA G League. Standing 208 centimeters tall, the French center built his reputation as a rebounder and interior scorer through stints at Wake Forest and Kentucky before beginning his professional career in 2021. He is best known for winning an NBA G League championship in 2024 and for his career-high 37-point performance against Notre Dame in 2020.
Born in Niort, France, on 20 February 1999, Sarr is of Senegalese descent and developed his game in European youth programs before moving to the United States as a teenager. He is the older brother of Alex Sarr, who plays in the NBA for the Washington Wizards.
Early Life and Background
Olivier Sarr began playing basketball at age three, learning the game from his father, a former professional player in France. Growing up in a basketball household shaped his early development and gave him a clear path toward the sport.
As a young player in France, Sarr competed for local clubs Bouscat and TOAC before joining INSEP, the elite sports institute in Paris. He played for Centre Fédéral in the Nationale Masculine 1 and represented INSEP at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament. He has cited Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon as a major inspiration throughout his formative years.
Sarr moved to the United States at 15 years old to pursue higher-level competition and visibility. Evaluated as a four-star recruit by Scout, he committed to Wake Forest over scholarship offers from California, Vanderbilt, and UCF.
Path to Professional Basketball
Sarr first represented France at the international level during the 2016 FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Zaragoza, Spain, where he averaged 4.4 points and four rebounds per game and helped his team finish in sixth place. The following year, he played at the 2017 FIBA U18 European Championship in Slovakia, averaging 7.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game for another sixth-place finish.
His arrival at Wake Forest marked his first major step in American basketball. As a freshman, he averaged 3.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game, then added 20 pounds to his frame before his sophomore season. He started 16 games as a sophomore, leading the Demon Deacons with 25 blocks while averaging 6.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
After Wake Forest parted ways with head coach Danny Manning, Sarr entered the transfer portal and committed to Kentucky in May 2020, drawing interest from Duke, Baylor, Florida State, and Gonzaga. He and fellow transfer Jacob Toppin were granted immediate eligibility on 21 October 2020, allowing Sarr to contribute as a junior for the Wildcats, where he averaged 10.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game before declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft.
Olivier Sarr Career
College Career (2018–2021)
Olivier Sarr’s college career spanned three seasons split between Wake Forest and Kentucky. His junior campaign at Wake Forest was his breakout year, as he averaged 13.7 points and 9.0 rebounds per game with 11 double-doubles and earned Third-team All-ACC honors.
On 29 February 2020, Sarr scored a career-high 37 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in an 84–73 victory over Notre Dame. After transferring to Kentucky and gaining immediate eligibility, he averaged 10.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game for the Wildcats before declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft and forgoing the extra season granted because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
NBA G League and NBA Stints (2021–2024)
After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, Sarr played for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Summer League. On 16 October 2021, he signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder and was immediately waived before joining the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA G League, where he posted 14 points and 7 rebounds in his debut against the Salt Lake City Stars.
He signed his first 10-day contract with the Thunder on 27 December 2021 and added a second 10-day deal in January 2022, before inking a two-way contract on 21 February 2022. He was waived on 6 April 2022, then had brief stints with the Phoenix Suns Summer League and a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers that ended without a regular-season appearance.
Returning to the Oklahoma City Blue in January 2023, Sarr signed another two-way contract with the Thunder in February 2023 and a subsequent two-way deal in August 2023. In the 2023–24 NBA season, he made 15 appearances for the Thunder, averaging 2.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.1 assists in 6.5 minutes per game.
Raptors 905 Era (2024–Present)
On 15 April 2024, Sarr helped the Oklahoma City Blue capture the NBA G League championship with a victory over the Maine Celtics, although he suffered a ruptured Achilles during the game. The injury marked a turning point in his career as he began recovery and a new chapter.
On 1 August 2025, Sarr signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Toronto Raptors. He was released on 16 October and subsequently joined Raptors 905, the Raptors’ NBA G League affiliate, continuing his professional career.
Playing Style and Strengths
Olivier Sarr is a traditional center whose game is built around his 208-centimeter frame, interior positioning, and rebounding. He developed his offensive game by adding muscle to his frame during college, becoming a reliable finisher around the basket and a capable shot blocker. His ability to play through contact and operate as a rim protector has defined his role in the NBA G League.
Notable Events and Milestones
Sarr’s career-high 37-point, 17-rebound game against Notre Dame on 29 February 2020 stands as his most iconic college performance. At the professional level, he won the 2024 NBA G League championship with the Oklahoma City Blue, even though the title run was overshadowed by a ruptured Achilles suffered in the Finals against the Maine Celtics.
Olivier Sarr Career Wins
Olivier Sarr’s most prominent team accomplishment is the 2024 NBA G League championship won with the Oklahoma City Blue. Beyond that title, his individual achievements include a Third-team All-ACC selection in 2020 and a series of two-way contracts across multiple NBA franchises.
NBA G League Highlights
Sarr joined the Oklahoma City Blue in 2021 and quickly established himself as a regular contributor, opening his tenure with a 14-point, 7-rebound debut against the Salt Lake City Stars. He returned to the Blue multiple times across the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons while alternating between two-way deals with the Thunder and other NBA opportunities.
His most significant G League moment came on 15 April 2024, when the Oklahoma City Blue won the NBA G League Finals over the Maine Celtics. Sarr’s 2025 move to Raptors 905 marks a fresh chapter in his ongoing development as a professional center.
Olivier Sarr Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Olivier Sarr comes from a basketball family. His father played professional basketball in France, and Olivier credits him as the person who first introduced him to the sport at age three. Sarr is of Senegalese descent and grew up surrounded by the game at home.
His younger brother, Alex Sarr, is also a professional basketball player who currently plays in the NBA for the Washington Wizards. The brothers represent one of the more prominent sibling combinations in modern French basketball.
Personal Life
Olivier Sarr is of Senegalese descent and grew up in Niort, France, before relocating to the United States at age 15 to pursue basketball. He is known publicly through his social media presence on X and Instagram.
2025 Season Performance
Olivier Sarr’s 2025 calendar was defined by recovery from the ruptured Achilles he suffered in April 2024 and a return to professional basketball. He signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Toronto Raptors on 1 August 2025, signaling his comeback to the NBA ecosystem after a difficult rehabilitation period.
After being released by the Raptors on 16 October 2025, Sarr joined Raptors 905, the organization’s NBA G League affiliate, where he is expected to continue building his strength and form. His progress with Raptors 905 will likely determine whether he can return to a full NBA roster in the near future.
Looking ahead, Sarr remains focused on regaining his pre-injury form and earning another NBA opportunity. His championship experience with the Oklahoma City Blue, combined with his physical tools, gives him a clear pathway back to higher-level competition.