The months leading up to the 2024 NBA Draft were among the most turbulent in the event's recent history. Washington Wizards big man Alex Sarr was at one point projected to go No. 1 overall, but Zaccharie Risacher suddenly and decisively leapfrogged him the closer the annual selection process drew near.
Fast forward to 2026 and it's becoming clear that, with no slight to Risacher, Sarr should've gone No. 1 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft.
San Antonio Spurs rising star Stephon Castle will likely argue otherwise, and with good reason. When looking exclusively at pre-draft rankings and the big boards that flooded the internet, however, the questions about how Sarr's game would translate to the NBA have been answered.
Though his physical tools were praised, many questioned if he would be able to become a true defensive anchor, as well as a high-level offensive contributor. Turns out, he already checks those boxes.
20 year old Alex Sarr positioning himself as one of the best ISO defending big men in the NBA...
— Basketball University (@UofBasketball) January 26, 2026
Great feet, recovery, and length acting primarily on instinct. 6th most ISOs defended in the league and is holding opponents to 39% shooting. Very impressive. pic.twitter.com/e2q7pk4Rcb
It's still too soon to determine what type of impact on winning Sarr will have long term, but he's looking the part of a franchise big early in his career.
Alex Sarr is looking like a franchise-level center early in Wizards career
Sarr, 20, is currently averaging 17.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 offensive boards, 2.7 assists, 2.1 blocks, 0.8 steals, and 0.9 three-point field goals made per game on .505/.344/.708 shooting. He's on pace to become the first Wizards player to average at least 15.0 points and 2.0 blocks since Pervis Ellison in 1992-93, per StatMuse.
For those assuming that Sarr is simply making highlight-reel plays without offering consistent substance, opponents are shooting 1.7 percent worse when he's the primary defender.
In addition to producing quality results, Sarr has been just about everywhere he can be on both ends of the floor. On a per-game basis, he's No. 7 in the NBA in shot contests, No. 7 in screen assists, and No. 10 in screen assists points created.
According to Basketball Index, Sarr also ranks in the 97th percentile in rim protection, the 98th percentile in screener rim defense, and the 89th percentile in screner mobile defense.
Alex Sarr is already playing at a level any NBA team would covet
Offensively, Sarr currently places in the 79th percentile in field goal percentage at the rim and the 77th percentile in offensive rebounds per 75 possessions. His success along the interior has helped create the foundation for the identity that Washington is beginning to establish.
Sarr has also improved his three-point field goal percentage from 30.8 as a rookie to 34.4 in year two. Furthermore, he's recorded 12 20-point games in 35 appearances in 2025-26 after recording just 10 in all of 2024-25.
As Sarr continues to progress, the Wizards finally have the type of player they can build their future around. He's not only excelling on both ends of the floor, but operating in a way that simplifies the game for those around him.
If nothing else, that makes Sarr deserving of every ounce of the hype that he received prior to the 2024 NBA Draft and a talent that would've been worthy of the No. 1 pick.