Rumors

Chase Hughes: Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson III and Will Riley are all OUT tonight against the Sixers, per the team. Johnson III is out with right hamstring tightness, Riley with left thumb soreness. They're day-to-day. Starters: AJ Johnson, Leaky Black, Dillon Jones, Jamir Watkins, Liam Robbins

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Moussa Diabate, Ousmane Dieng, and Alex Sarr on new-look France

EuroHoops.net

Keith Pompey: Sources say the Washington Wizards hope Ace Bailey’s refusal to work out for teams during the pre-draft process will cause him to slide. A source said Washington benefited from the same approach last season with Alex Sarr. The French player refused to work out for the Atlanta Hawks, who had the first pick in the draft. After the Hawks passed on the projected No. 1 pick, the Wizards selected him second. The Wizards have been impressed by the 18-year-old Bailey for some time. Sources say they’re not concerned about his perceived poor shot selection this season at Rutgers. Some Washington executives had Bailey rated higher than expected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg in high school. Sixers weigh NBA draft options at No. 3: Ace Bailey, VJ Edgecombe, or someone else? Wizards hope Bailey falls to them.

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In his first season, Alex Sarr showed flashes of the two-way force many envisioned when he entered the league as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-10 forward for the Washington Wizards earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team while growing into one of the league’s most promising defenders. But according to Sarr, his rookie year development was about much more than box score production. “I feel like kind of everything,” Sarr told RG. “Defensively, I think physicality. Offensively, trying to get to the rim more, more drives. So I think that’s how I developed the most, for sure.”

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He expressed hope that the Wizards might participate in a future NBA Global Game in France. “I think it’s really nice—for the teams but also for the fans in France,” Sarr said. “It helps grow the game. Hopefully it will be us next year. I’d be very happy to play there for sure.” Now, he’s representing France at EuroBasket 2025 after being named to the 58-man extended roster by the French Federation. “Representing my country is always a blessing,” Sarr said. “I would love to be part of it.”

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Physically, Sarr improved throughout the year. “The strength piece is coming along,” a Western Conference scout noted. “He’s not a finished product physically, but the base is there.” Looking ahead, scouts see a modern two-way big who can switch defensively, space the floor and initiate offense. “You project him forward and it’s easy to see him anchoring a modern defense,” said an Eastern Conference scout. His participation in EuroBasket is seen as a major developmental step. “For someone like Sarr, that exposure is massive,” one international scout said. “It only helps elevate young talent.”

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Shams Charania: 2024-2025 NBA All-Rookie teams: First team: Stephon Castle, Zaccharie Risacher, Jaylen Wells, Zach Edey, Alex Sarr Second team: Matas Buzelis, Bub Carrington, Donovan Clingan, Kel’el Ware, Yves Missi

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NBA Communications: A global media panel of 100 voters selected the 2024-25 Kia NBA All-Rookie Team. The complete voting results ⬇️

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Chase Hughes: Alex Sarr with some understatement when asked what his toughest matchup was this season: "Jokic was definitely pretty good."

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Chase Hughes: Marcus Smart says he’s had several conversations with Alex Sarr to help him become a more physical player. “We’re working on that… he can be a great defender.”

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But as Sarr, the No. 2 pick in last year’s draft, approaches the end of his challenging first season with the Wizards, he said he believes he has earned consideration for rookie of the year. “I definitely belong in that conversation,” Sarr said by telephone last week. “That’s not up to me. Everything is out there: the games and the stats. We’ll see what happens at the end. I’ve been constantly improving through the season, and I’m finishing out strong, trying to keep building that momentum.”

Washington Post

According to Basketball-Reference, Sarr is one of only three rookies in NBA history to have blocked at least 95 shots and made at least 100 3-pointers, joining Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama. “Being able to have freedom helps you develop as a player,” Sarr said in an interview with The Athletic, “knowing the things maybe you shouldn’t do, the things you have to work on.” After a strong December in which he made nearly 46 percent of his 3-point tries, Sarr looked like an early favorite to win Rookie of the Year, perhaps even the favorite. But his shooting trailed off in January before he missed eight consecutive games because of a sprained ankle.

New York Times

NBA Communications: Other nominees... West: Donovan Clingan (POR), Isaiah Collier and Kyle Filipowski (UTA), Zach Edey (MEM) and Quinten Post (GSW) East: Matas Buzelis (CHI), Justin Edwards (PHI), Alex Sarr (WAS), Jamal Shead (TOR) and Kel’el Ware (MIA)

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Preparations for Euro 2025 are set to begin at the end of July—five months after Wembanyama’s last game. In addition to the 2024 Rookie of the Year, other French NBA players have expressed their interest. “Boris (Diaw, general manager of the French team) saw them during two or three trips to the U.S. this season. As of now, 100% of the players have told us they’re interested in joining,” added Fauthoux, who also spoke about Zaccharie Risacher (Atlanta) and Alexandre Sarr (Washington), both in the race for Rookie of the Year. “They’re close to being pre-selected. These are two very promising players with a lot of talent, and both are getting playing time in the NBA, which is very important for me. For potential selection, it’s essential, especially considering the competition from EuroLeague, EuroCup, and Champions League players,” Fauthoux emphasized.

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