The Washington Wizards have selected Frenchman Alex Sarr with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. With the move, they formed an elite two-headed monster on the defensive side of the ball.
Sarr enters the league as one of the most intriguing defensive prospects in the draft, with Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer comparing him to former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. and No Ceilings comparing him to Evan Mobley.
He has all the tools to be an elite rim protector, helping over to shut guys down in the paint, and he’s also capable of getting out on the perimeter and keeping up with smaller players.
Wizards select Alex Sarr with No. 2 pick in 2024 NBA Draft, forming an defensive two-headed monster with him and Bilal Coulibaly
At 7-foot-1 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, Sarr’s physical tools alone make him a special defender that any team would love to have, but now, the Wizards have him, and he’s going to form an elite defensive duo with Bilal Coulibaly.
Sarr may fit better as a giant power forward, but the Wizards will have time to develop him as a center, and if Coulibaly can fill out his frame, that defensive frontcourt will cause nightmares for opponents.
Washington had one of the worst defenses in the league last season, but adding Sarr should take them to a new level immediately. And as he and Coulibaly learn to play alongside each other effectively, the Wizards should be shutting teams down in no time.
Obviously, they will need to get some help from their backcourt on that end of the floor, but Coulibaly and Sarr form the perfect foundation for a future elite defense.
The two long-armed French menaces are ready to take over the league on the defensive end. They are a long way out from bringing the Wizards back to the playoffs, but if there was ever a place to start, it would be building an incredible defense.
That’s what the Wizards are starting to do.
In two straight drafts, the Wizards made it a point to focus on upside and defensive talent. Rather than taking elite offensive players who can’t defend, they did the opposite.
Coulibaly and Sarr both need to iron out their play on the offensive side of the ball, but that’s okay. The saying is “Defense wins championships,” not offense, right?
The monster duo has all the tools to be insane on that end of the floor.