WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Wizards drafted French 7-footer Alex Sarr with the second choose within the NBA draft Wednesday evening, utilizing their highest choice in 14 years so as to add some much-needed measurement to a staff that received solely 15 video games final season.
Sarr performed final season for the Perth Wildcats in Australia. He additionally spent two years within the U.S. with Time beyond regulation Elite, a developmental league.
The Wizards are a 12 months faraway from a entrance workplace overhaul and an offseason wherein they traded Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis. Their struggles final season — they set a franchise report for losses — had been pretty predictable, and it’s not clear how a lot anybody on this draft can speed up their rebuild.
Washington hasn’t superior previous the second spherical of the playoffs since 1979, and that is solely the third time since then the franchise has picked within the prime two of the draft. The Wizards used an ill-fated No. 1 general choose on Kwame Brown in 2001. In 2010, they used the highest choose on John Wall, ushering in an period of delicate success that ultimately ran its course.
The final time the staff picked No. 2 it labored out fantastically — Wes Unseld, taken second in 1968, ultimately led the group to a championship.
Not solely did the Wizards commerce Porzingis, however additionally they dealt Daniel Gafford in the course of the 2023-24 season, leaving a big want for measurement. However greater than that, Washington simply wants any younger star it may well probably construct round.
Twenty years to the day after Washington’s NHL staff drafted one other Alex — Russian star Ovechkin — the Wizards can solely hope Sarr can have an analogous influence. Sarr’s mobility and defensive influence are extremely regarded — he had 26 factors, 10 rebounds, six blocks and three assists towards NBA G League Ignite within the 2023 G League Fall Invitational.
In 27 video games with Perth, he averaged 9.4 factors, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 17.3 minutes per recreation.
Atlanta had the No. 1 choose Wednesday and took French teen Zaccharie Risacher. It wasn’t a shock that Risacher and Sarr went 1-2, however the order was unsure within the weeks main as much as the draft.
Washington additionally agreed to commerce 23-year-old ahead Deni Avdija to Portland for Malcolm Brogdon, the 14th choose Wednesday and a first-round choose in 2029, in keeping with an individual accustomed to the deal. The particular person spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of the commerce had not been introduced.
That deal gave Washington three picks within the first spherical. The Wizards even have No. 26.
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AP Sports activities Author Larry Lage contributed to this report.
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