The 2024 NBA Draft is almost upon us.
The annual event brings together the best prospects from around the world as they wait for basketball gods decide their fate.
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Unlike previous years, the 2024 edition of the NBA draft - the 78th edition - will be held over two nights from June 26-27.
The first night of the draft will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York while second night will come from ESPN's Seaport District Studios in Manhattan.
Victor Wembanyama was the standout player in last year's draft and the San Antonio Spurs were the envy of everyone when they hit the jackpot and secured the No.1 overall pick.
Gregg Popovich's team used that top pick on generational superstar Wemby, who had the same hype as a rookie LeBron James and broke all sorts of records en route to a Rookie of the Year campaign.
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The class of 2024, however, is as wide-open as one has been in several years,with no obvious front-runner projected to go first off the board.
Enter Alex Sarr, a 7ft 1in center who could follow in Wemby's footsteps as the next French big man to dominate the NBA Draft as the first overall selection.
19-year-old Sarr was born in Bordeaux, France, and is part of a family of hoopers.
His father is a former professional basketball player from Senegal, while his older brother,Olivier, is a player for theOklahoma City Thunder.
The towering center played two years in Real Madrid's youth team - just like Mavs star Luka Doncic - and spent another two years in Overtime Elite, abasketballleague based in Atlanta, Georgia, for 16–20-year-olds.
In 2023, Sarr signed with thePerth Wildcatsof the Australian National Basketball League (NBL), and played there until recently declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft.
He only averaged 9.4 points on 51.6 percent shooting last seasonbut did block 1.5 shots and snatched 4.3 rebounds per contest.
The teenager has also suited up for his country, helping France earn bronze at the2022 FIBA U17 World Cupand silver at the2023 FIBA U19 World Cup.
He may even line up next to Wemby for France in this summer's Paris Olympics.
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According to the latest mock drafts, Sarr"is a difference-maker on defense who covers a ton of ground with his arms and quick feet, similar to bigs such asMemphis’Jaren Jackson Jr.,Cleveland’sEvan Mobleyand Brooklyn’sNic Claxton."
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He can serve as an anchor on defense and help erase deficiencies but there are some question marks over his offensive skill-set and lack of outside shooting.
Throwback to Charles Barkley getting roasted during first appearance on 'Inside the NBA' in 2000
Sarr could well be the first pick in June's draft but faces stiff competition from the likes of NBA G League Ignite starRon Holland, JL Bourg wing Zaccharie Risacher and UConn center Donovan Clingan.
Whoever goes No. 1 overall will likely head to the Atlanta Hawks after they secured the top pick in this year's draft - for the first time in franchise history - at theNBA Draft Lottery.
Atlanta had just a 3% chance to win the No. 1 pick but moved up nine spots to No. 1, the second-largest leap in lottery history.
At the moment it's unclear who the Hawks will target. But, according to one mock draft, they seem destined to land Sarr.
"The more you dig into it, the more Sarr stands out as the best prospect in the draft, and Atlanta won't overthink this one," CBS Sports' Colin Ward-Henninger writes.
That largely comes down to what the Hawks plan to do with All-Star guard Trae Young, who continues to be at the center of trade speculation.
Young has three years remaining on his contract, the last of which is a player option.
He's set to make $43 million next season, which the Hawks may look to offload in order to build for the future.
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If Atlanta do decide to go for Sarr, they might just be getting the next great international star - despite the fact fans have never heard of him before.
"Why is this the first i’ve heard of this kid," wrote one fan.
"Why is NOBODY talking about this dude ??" posted another.
"Just hearing his name for the first time," someone else responded.
"If Alexandre Sarr played college basketball instead of professionally, he would be the clear best prospect in the NBA Draft," posted another.
"Most people haven’t had a chance to watch him yet. Give it some time, he will be drawing Wembanyama-level hype by the time the draft comes around.
"is France making these guys in a lab or?" a fourth joked, referencing Wemby.
Wemby had a stunning debut campaign in the NBA and was named unanimous Rookie of the Year, receiving all 99 first-place votes from a media panel.
He became just the third Spurs player to claim rookie honors, joining David Robinson (1989-90) and Tim Duncan (1997-98).
Victor was also just the second rookie ever to lead all NBA players in blocks per game in a season, joining Manute Bol (1985-86).
The Wembanyama comparisons are pretty obvious, but for Clippers star Paul George, Sarr reminds him of another elite NBA talent - Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Sarr recently appeared on George's 'Podcast P' where the host discussed the similarities.
“I like the Giannis comparison, I like the Giannis that is one of your favorite players, because I kind of see a similar play style with the ability to get it off the rim, push and transition, handle it, create," George said.
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"I think he’s like him. Giannis is the prototype of a big man that you play through. So I love that comparison. I think he is a lot similar to how Giannis plays, in the style of Giannis."
If Sarr is even half the player Wembanyama or Giannis is, one lucky team will have a serious player on their hands for the foreseeable future.
— thee SafeMoon Guy🌑 (@theeSafeMoonGuy) May 12, 2024found some highlights of the kid. you guys be the ones to tell me if he’s #1 overall caliber
