NBA Draft Prospect Alex Sarr Wants to Make Victor Wembanyama-Like Impact as a Rookie

Alex Sarr has big aspirations for his rookie season.

The potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft recently sat down with Paul George and said he hopes to follow fellow Frenchman Victor Wembanyama’s path and become an instant-impact superstar.

“Yeah, I mean obviously I want to make as much impact as it did in the league,” Sarr said on Podcast P with Paul George Presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment (25:50 mark). “I think what he did this year, he made the expectation that we’re giving to him and it’s really inspiring. He makes me think about a national team two, three years from now and it’s exciting.”

Wembanyama was one of the most-hyped draft prospects in NBA history and fit the bill this season. He averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.6 blocks per game on his way to winning Rookie of the Year and finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Sarr is not considered anywhere within the same realm as Wembanyama as a prospect. B/R’s Jonathan Wasserman ranks Sarr as the No. 4 overall player in the 2024 class and compares him to Evan Mobley. That’s nothing to sneeze at given Mobley’s NBA success, but Wembanyama is a class of his own.

Sarr may have some similarities to Wembanyama, given they both are 7-footers with guard skills and an ability to stretch out to the three-point line. Still, just because their playing styles have similarities does not mean they are one in the same.

Given the shaky overall state of this draft class, though, getting a Mobley-like performance out of Sarr will be a major win for any team that drafts him.