Wildcats Next Stars signing Sarr shoots up draft rankings

The towering teenage French sensation averaged 7.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, two blocks, 1.6 steals and 1.6 assists across the tournament to help his nation to a silver medal.

It saw him climb six spots from 19 to 13 on ESPN’s latest 2024 NBA draft rankings with expert Jonathan Givony excited about Sarr’s “unlimited potential” on the defensive end.

“While Sarr's productivity and consistency didn't always jump off the page, his mobility, versatility and talent certainly did, providing for some outstanding highlights and giving him one of the highest ceilings of any big man in the 2024 class,” Givony wrote.

“Sarr's combination of length (7-foot-5 wingspan), fluidity and instincts gives him unlimited potential on the defensive end.

“He can step out to the perimeter and slide his feet versus guards, rotate to the paint and make plays at the rim.

“He was a constant presence jumping passing lanes and blocking shots while doing a great job of anchoring France's stout pick-and-roll defense with long hedges and traps out to half-court.”

The 18-year-old arrives in Perth in late July and will be one of several exciting recruits on show in the Wildcats’ pre-season clashes against the G League Ignite in Las Vegas in September.

The regular season kicks off against Tasmania JackJumpers at RAC Arena on September 29.