French sensation Alexandre Sarr joins the Perth Wildcats

French teenage sensation, Alexandre Sarr, has signed with the Perth Wildcats for the 2023/24 NBL season as part of the Next Stars program.

The 7-footer is a mouth-watering prospect for NBA teams, possessing an exciting blend of size, length, athleticism, and versatility.

Currently the projected 17th pick in ESPN’s 2024 NBA mock Draft, the 18-year-old has the potential to rocket up the order with strong performances in the NBL.

Sarr has spent the past two years developing his game at Overtime Elite (OTE) in the United States.

Competing at OTE with, and against, some of the world’s brightest young talents, he has grown into an elite prospect and is now looking to further develop his game at the NBL level.

Prior to his stint in the OTE, Sarr competed in Spain with Real Madrid’s Cadet A Youth Team.

Sarr has established himself in France’s national team program, winning a bronze medal at the 2022 U17 World Cup, where he averaged 12 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.

Arriving in Perth in July, Sarr said he’s excited to join his new teammates and get started.

“It feels great, it’s a new experience for me, I’ve never been near Australia before, but I can’t wait to take on the challenge,” he said.

“I’ve really liked what I’ve seen when I’ve watched some Wildcats games, the way they play, RAC Arena and the fans are crazy, and I just wanted to be a part of it and build my own legacy through it.

“I’m looking forward to getting on the court with my teammates and competing and trying to do my best every day.”

Perth’s newest big man is set to provide coach John Rillie with explosive finishing around the basket and versatility on the defensive end.

“Alex’s youth, athleticism and potential is what attracted us, those were attributes we want to address in the off-season,” Rillie said.

“He will bring length, rim protection and a dimension to our defense we haven’t had, his natural offensive skills will be a natural fit. 

“Securing a Next Star is something the club has been looking at over the last couple of seasons and we feel Alex ticks the boxes that we are looking for in a Next Star.”

Wildcats General Manager of Basketball Operations Danny Mills said the club is thrilled that Sarr has chosen to come to Perth.

“This is an extremely exciting signing for the club to be able to secure an elite talent like Alexandre as a Next Star for next season,” he said.

“His combination of size, skill and a high-level basketball IQ at his age is incredibly unique and why he is on the draft boards of every NBA team as a projected first round pick for the 2024 Draft.

“We are thrilled that Alex and his family have chosen the Perth Wildcats as the best environment for him to continue the next stage of career, and it speaks volumes about how the club is viewed globally and the work that John (Rillie) and the staff do in developing players to reach their potential.”

The Sarr family has a strong basketball pedigree, with Alexandre’s older brother, Olivier, having spent the 2022-23 NBA season with the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder.

NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said he is excited to welcome another French athlete to the league.

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Alexandre to our Next Stars program,” he said.

“There has been a distinct French flavour to the program in recent years, with Ousmane Dieng and Rayan Rupert both playing for the New Zealand Breakers in the past two seasons. Ousmane was pick 11 in last year’s NBA Draft, while Rayan is expected to be a first round pick this year.

“I have no doubt Alexandre will build on the strong NBL careers of his fellow countrymen and grow his NBA prospects with the Wildcats, joining the NBL’s most successful club will be of immense benefit to Alexandre’s development, as he immerses himself in a professional environment with a fantastic set of coaches and teammates.”