Alex Sarr

[payitforward]

You’re both right. Amen is an extremely impressive player who will likely only get better. His defense is elite. His unreal athleticism is the chief reason he’s good on offense.

But he’ll need to improve his perimeter shooting before he can be considered a top 15 player, imo. He needs a more well-rounded offensive game. Teams will figure out a way to take away what he currently does well on that end of the court.

If they do figure that out, sure.... Hasn't happened yet!

edit: put that slightly differently. Kid's already putting up some of the best numbers in the league, & he can't shoot! If he learns to shoot... 1st ballot HOF!

[nate33]

People often use the term "shooting" when it would be better to use the word "scoring." Amen posted a 60.2% TS% last season. That's right up there with your guy Deni Avdija (60.4%).

Only Amen turned the ball over 70% as often as Deni, got more boards -- including 70% more offensive boards -- than Deni, blocked over twice as many shots as Deni, posted over 30% more steals than Deni, & committed fewer fouls than Deni.

Was Amen as good as Jimmy Butler last season? Probably not quite as good. But, he was a ton better than Deni Avdija -- & Deni was absolutely terrific!

As it stands right now, it's already easy to place him among the dozen best players in the league, & he only turned 22 a couple of months ago.

I'm not being contentious; I could care less about Amen Thompson. But he's an effng amazing NBA player.

Yes, he is an amazing player. But his lack of shooting makes offense much harder his teammates because his defender cheats off him to jam up other actions. Despite his individual scoring efficiency, Amen doesn't really help his team ORtg that much. Typically, a non-shooter must either have the ball in his hands (like prime Westbrook) or he must be in the dunker's spot, which is typically where the center is. In a 7-game series, these are the types of weaknesses that teams exploit and it's one of the reasons that #2 seed Houston lost to #7 seed Golden State.

Amen is not the reason they lost. To me, he's the rare outlier to needing perimeter shooting. Teams can't really back off him on the ball because he attacks space so well and suddenly. They did struggle to score but I look more at Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr, Dillon Brooks as bigger reasons for their offensive struggles. Still I will say they need to put Amen on the ball and let FVV walk.

I agree that he is such an amazing outlier that it's still worth it to try and build around him despite his lack of shooting. But for him to reach his highest upside potential, he will need to be on a team with a stretch 5 and respectable shooting at all other positions.

[tontoz]

Amen and Sengun don't really work together. I would look to trade Sengun.

They also need to play Reed next year to see what they have.

[AFM]

Sengun is way less skilled than I thought he was. He has nice footwork but when he gets into the paint he goes to this awkward flailing hook shot that doesnt look too effective.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sengual01.html

Sengun over his first seven playoff games:

21.9 points/11.9 rebounds/5.3 sssists/1.9 steals (.462 efg%)

+5.2 On Court
+23.8 On/Off

Opinions may vary. Numbers don't lie.

[tontoz]

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sengual01.html

Sengun over his first seven playoff games:

21.9 points/11.9 rebounds/5.3 sssists/1.9 steals (.462 efg%)

+5.2 On Court
+23.8 On/Off

Opinions may vary. Numbers don't lie.

A 49% TS for the series was awful.

[DCZards]

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sengual01.html

Sengun over his first seven playoff games:

21.9 points/11.9 rebounds/5.3 sssists/1.9 steals (.462 efg%)

+5.2 On Court
+23.8 On/Off

Opinions may vary. Numbers don't lie.

A 49% TS for the series was awful.

Sengun missed a lot of easy shots right at the basket that he typically makes. Young guys getting their first taste of playoff ball will sometimes struggle, especially when they’re up against an outstanding defender like Draymond.

[payitforward]

...Opinions may vary. Numbers don't lie.

Some posters here need that sentence engraved on their bedsteads so they can read it every night.

[tontoz]

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sengual01.html

Sengun over his first seven playoff games:

21.9 points/11.9 rebounds/5.3 sssists/1.9 steals (.462 efg%)

+5.2 On Court
+23.8 On/Off

Opinions may vary. Numbers don't lie.

A 49% TS for the series was awful.

Sengun missed a lot of easy shots right at the basket that he typically makes. Young guys getting their first taste of playoff ball will sometimes struggle, especially when they’re up against an outstanding defender like Draymond.

Sengun shot 45% from 3-10 ft during the regular season. His TS during the season was 54.5% which has been Kuzma 's average the previous few years.

[payitforward]

..Sengun shot 45% from 3-10 ft during the regular season. His TS during the season was 54.5% which has been Kuzma 's average the previous few years.

True enough -- but Sengun was at 60% & 58.5% the previous 2 years. Kuz has never been as high as 55% in his 8 year career, & his best was 54.9% his rookie year.

[Kanyewest]

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sengual01.html

Sengun over his first seven playoff games:

21.9 points/11.9 rebounds/5.3 sssists/1.9 steals (.462 efg%)

+5.2 On Court
+23.8 On/Off

Opinions may vary. Numbers don't lie.

A 49% TS for the series was awful.

Sengun missed a lot of easy shots right at the basket that he typically makes. Young guys getting their first taste of playoff ball will sometimes struggle, especially when they’re up against an outstanding defender like Draymond.

Draymond gives Sengun a shout out. https://streamable.com/kw1v80

[badinage]

...Opinions may vary. Numbers don't lie.

Some posters here need that sentence engraved on their bedsteads so they can read it every night.

But: we see it all the time, in nearly every realm — people with opinions use numbers to lie.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

...Opinions may vary. Numbers don't lie.

Some posters here need that sentence engraved on their bedsteads so they can read it every night.

A 49% TS for the series was awful.

Sengun missed a lot of easy shots right at the basket that he typically makes. Young guys getting their first taste of playoff ball will sometimes struggle, especially when they’re up against an outstanding defender like Draymond.

Draymond gives Sengun a shout out. https://streamable.com/kw1v80

The defense rests its case.

[tontoz]

The defense rests its case.

Sorry but Sengun isnt that good on D either.

[9 and 20]

https://www.bulletsforever.com/2025/4/28/24419023/annual-checkup-have-the-wizards-found-a-building-block-in-alex-sarr

Another career progression calculator run on Sarr - this time with all-NBA results. Would be cool.

[PaulinVA]

Read on Twitter

[dobrojim]

Read on Twitter

And Ky is, for now, the forgotten man.
It'll be interesting to see how that evolves over time.

[dobrojim]

https://www.bulletsforever.com/2025/4/28/24419023/annual-checkup-have-the-wizards-found-a-building-block-in-alex-sarr

Another career progression calculator run on Sarr - this time with all-NBA results. Would be cool.

Nivek has him peaking at/about a PPA of 200 for 4
years beginning age 25 or so.

[closg00]

Washington Wizards rookie Alex Sarr shares insight on his first season in the NBA.

https://www.si.com/nba/wizards/washington-wizards-news/washington-wizards-alex-sarr-reflects-impactful-rookie-season

[doclinkin]

Sarr made the extended roster for the France NT. Hopefully earning a spot for Eurobasket play this summer:

Sarr credited head coach Brian Keefe and the Wizards staff for building a culture of accountability, structure and trust.

“They’re holding everybody accountable,” Sarr told RG. “Trying to build something here and everybody’s bought into building our identity.”

That identity extends to his national pride. France’s rise in basketball talent—from Victor Wembanyama to Tony Parker—has inspired players like Sarr to dream big.

“Basketball definitely grew the past decade or so in France,” Sarr said. “The NBA always inspired me when I was younger, watching the games and wanting to be part of it. Seeing those guys on TV and thinking, ‘One day I can be one of them.’”
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.”

Sarr’s youth resume includes medals at every major FIBA youth tournament, including gold at the 2021 U16 Challengers, bronze at the 2022 U17 World Cup and silver at the 2023 U19 World Cup.

Looking forward, scouts believe he could form an elite defensive pairing with Wembanyama or Gobert.

“There are a lot of French players in the league right now,” Sarr said. “And I think our national team is going to look pretty good.”

Source: https://rg.org/news/basketball/alex-sarr-embraces-france-role-after-breakout-rookie-year-in-dc