Alex Sarr’s Growth and Preparation for the NBA | NBA Draft Show | Ringer NBA

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor sits down for an interview with 2024 NBA draft prospect Alex Sarr. They cover Sarr’s time with Overtime Elite, his growth while playing for the Perth Wildcats, and the skills that he is looking to add to his game in the NBA. They also take a look at Alex’s best game and best defensive play while he played overseas.
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[@TheAntwaneWillis]

Hawks fans WYA??? 😏. I think he will do wonders for our offense & defense in multiple ways

[@luigidabest4743]

shouldn't there be a bigger focus on improving the defense?

[@KingPhilip_ULP]

And defense

[@TheAntwaneWillis]

@@luigidabest4743 yea facts 😅😂😂 I was just thinking of how he can spread the floor automatically with his jump shooting and he’s extremely athletic

[@truthbearer7891]

@@luigidabest4743Sounds like defense is his speciality out the gate and something he takes pride in which makes him a perfect fit for Hawks. It’s his offensive skill that is a work in progress, but already he could be less of an offensive liability than Capela and even more dangerous on pick and roll with Trae

[@dukeonwheels]

I’m more concerned about his contribution on defense. I’m excited about his ability to affect shots at the rim and disrupt passing lanes. On offense, just be the rim runner Capela is, and then let him take his time to round out the rest of his game. We don’t need him to score a lot, just be a solid defender and look for Trae to feed him in the pick and roll, maybe the occasional pick and pop since he can shoot. He can be a taller version of Al Horford.

[@brodiestephens419]

I'm Australian, so I watched every game Sarr played in the NBL.... and I'm telling you - he got a raw deal. The Perth Wildcats' head coach was ridiculously frustrating. Alex Sarr should have been playing big minutes, developing, and learning through mistakes. His coach gave a bunch of minutes to slow, old dudes instead of him.... which hurt their team AND Alex's development. He played only 17 minutes per game, despite looking like the most impactful guy on the court most of the time. I'm glad even the terrible coach decisions couldn't tank his draft stock. He's an absolute gun, and he'll be VERY good in a few years. He might not produce at a high level straight away as an NBA rookie (like LaMelo Ball and Josh Giddey did after their NBL rookie seasons).... but he's got all the tools, the work ethic, and the mindset to become an All-Star one day. Every single one of his Australian teammates have only great things to say about him as a human being. They all loved playing with him, and loved his attitude. He'll go far!!!

[@kevinoconnornba]

Well said.

[@gohanlam8230]

THANKS FOR THIS! So excited for him to join my HAWKS!!!!!

[@truthbearer7891]

Awesome insight! The maturity and humility is very obvious from this interview. Maybe it’s just more because of opportunity but perhaps one of the reasons why international players are taking over the NBA at the highest level comes from more players with this mindset instead of toxic mindsets that have been infused in lots of US players today.

[@Idk_tbh20]

He definitely did not look like the most impactful player at all, you do realise that the wildcats have the leading scorer of the nbl on their team right? He might have been 3rd most impactful player at best when he was on the court which is still great for an 18 year old in the pro league but he definitely wasn't the most

[@marqchaney]

@@Idk_tbh20 yeah i also watched his games and no way was he the most impactful player

[@StatingFacts-pr1pc]

Hes gonna be great on the Hawks next to Trae

[@tywontaylor7787]

Future Hawks Superstar, not wemby or Chet but definitely built in that mold.. I think his defensive upside even better.. he moves like guard. High upside player for sure

[@rfmmike6096]

You think his defensive upside is better than Wemby, that is an insane take lol

[@cameronbolden5064]

wemby had damn near one of the best individual defensive seasons ever and yoU think this guy has more upside.if that was the case this wouldn't be a "weak" draft

[@trill711]

Stop smoking that shii

[@Sunking210]

even before entering the NBA Wemby was a defensive monster. Sarr, in a way weaker league, struggled badly on the defensive end

[@lpfjason]

@@Sunking210how did he struggle badly?

[@dwrev462]

I hope this young man continues to grow and become great in the NBA💯

[@aghachidi6314]

Really good interview. The part about his brother being his biggest inspiration is interesting. Olivier has to grind, scratch, and claw just to remain on the fringes of the NBA while Alex is likely going to be a high lottery pick and be given every chance to succeed. I wonder if seeing how hard his brother has to work to stay in the mix will add to his hunger to succeed or if him being so highly regarded will make him complacent. I'd be willing to bet the former but it'll be interesting to track how his career develops over the duration of his rookie-scale contract.

[@egolandz]

It's just the really beginning of the New génération players. Wemby opened thé door and he's probably the next Giant of the Basketball History. But Alex Saar liké Zacharie Risacher for the French influence of this New génération, Have a Smart and Genius Feelings too ! The 2024/2025 NBA Season will be Stratospherics and Spectacular. Love it

[@truthbearer7891]

Thought this was a re-post at first. Pretty cool to see a follow up interview. You have the two most in-depth interviews of him out there. If he becomes a star, you were ahead of the curve. As a casual who only heard of him after Hawks won the lottery, much appreciated and I’m very excited about his self awareness of areas where he can improve.

[@princereiser7977]

East Point stand up!!! Bruh finally got me optimistic to be a hawks fan. I've jus Ben going for atl hoppers lile scoot and ant

[@Michael_ATL_82]

SARR TO ATL🔥👑🔥

[@smuckj3]

Great line of questioning to draw out some stories and insights from a young guy. Sarr may not have superstar potential, but with that diverse skillset and length and mindset, it's hard to see him being a bust. Atlanta, Washington, or whoever trades up to that spot will get a real player.

[@kevinoconnornba]

Thank you. I agree with your thoughts

[@fuzzybunnyluv]

Terribly handsome

[@dariusbrooks21]

KOC?

[@fuzzybunnyluv]

@@dariusbrooks21 Of course! The guy on the right takes up way too much screen time.

[@DonVaun12]

Lol.. what does that even mean?

[@fuzzybunnyluv]

@@DonVaun12 I find Sarr handsome. Dariusbrooks made a joke and I played along.

[@Fjdirjejrjrrjdj]

It's all these french players

[@lukadahmer8249]

"has technology ever been helpful for you when it comes to like learning things?" is a weird question

[@kevinoconnornba]

Poorly asked. Meant to expand on the question about adding new moves

[@ManDownZo912]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@HammerHeadBubba]

Kevonnnnnnnnnnnnn!

[@johnblaze4540]

I would presume before because Kevin would've mentioned the Hawks and asked him about his thoughts? It's been filmed in the last 2 weeks for sure though.

[@kevinoconnornba]

Filmed on May 3rd

[@johnblaze4540]

@kevinoconnornba I appreciate you clarifying that Kev💯

[@sbjnem]

He can help the hawks a lot and i just know we not go draft him

[@lukadahmer8249]

so this was before the lottery?

[@kevinoconnornba]

May 3

[@keelodagreat4676]

🤔...I like him and think he'll be better than what scouts project, but I don't think the Hawks will really stick with the pick or player....like they may trade down instead. We don't usually stick with our draft picks and this year's draft reputation isn't helping ANYTHING. They've been scouting the other guy (Z. Risacher) instead. I hope for the best tho and best of luck to Sarr.🤷🏽‍♂️

[@joesmith-or3wx]

Hawks doesn't need anymore guards. They a need center that can score and rebound. We need 16 points and 12 rebound per game. However I don't think Hawks coaches can develop the players.

[@keelodagreat4676]

@@joesmith-or3wx I know we don't need them, but these are the Hawks🤦🏽‍♂️ and even tho we're in need of a Center(preferably a Stretch 5), having the coach, GM and assistant GM flying out to watch you play tells me they're thinking otherwise or they're scheming on how to flip their pick for future assets or another player....We do have a poor history with development, with the exception of JJ, so they've probably taken that into consideration as well, but who knows for sure?🤷🏽‍♂️ I DO believe Sarr would improve us(especially with time, chemistry and experience) regardless, but how patient would the organization be with him versus Trae wanting more help? Draft Day may be more surprising than expected.

[@barkavioismingoxvii2304]

imo his player comp is kg

[@TheChoucroute67]

KOC needs to hit the gym.

[@SimplyJuanny]

He reminds me of a bigger Jabari smith jr

[@siempreobjetivo8855]

Why do they want to bring young together, with wembanyama, yes this is a wembanyama 2.0🤷

[@Desi365]

He is not Wembanyama.

[@TheSportsandFilmFellowship]

James Wiseman written all over him smh. Hawks don’t do it

[@BlakGift]

Come to DC ⭐️

[@user-sm8ih9lv4o]

SARR IN 5 YEARS WILL BE THE NBA BEST PLAYER

[@jeanloverme6466]

No. Wemby will be. Period.

[@truthbearer7891]

That’s a little ambitious my guy. As a Hawks fan I’ll just be thrilled if he’s a top 20 player let alone top 10, 5 or the best in the league 😅

[@christopheb.6121]

Sorry dude, another French player will be the best NBA player in 5 years... 👽

[@jwordxyz]

Sure if wemby, Edwards, luka, Shai all retire

[@runthelikes]

🥱

[@razkable]

He won't be wemby...no need to interview him...he won't even be jjj