2024 NBA Draft: As Alex Sarr’s star rises, so too does Perth Wildcats’ global reputation, says GM Danny Mills

Alex Sarr is firming to become the highest-ever NBA draft pick to have come out of the NBL – and the Perth Wildcats have declared the young star’s ascension helps stamp them as a global destination club.

Sarr is projected to be snapped up by Washington at Pick 2 in Thursday’s (WA time) NBA Draft, with the French 19-year-old one of the most sought-after young talents on the planet.

If chosen by the Wizards, Sarr would eclipse LaMelo Ball – who was taken with the third selection of the 2020 draft – as the highest pick to have plied his trade in the NBL before heading to the world’s top league.

Wildcats general manager of basketball operations Danny Mills said Sarr’s impressive development while in Perth was testament to not only the 213cm forward/centre, but also the WA club itself.

“It would be incredible, not just for Alex but for the club,” Mills told The West Australian.

“To have a young man come to us about nine months ago, as a projected top-20 pick… to develop into potentially the No.1 or No.2 (pick) is fantastic.

“It speaks to the level of professionalism we have, and the skill of our coaching staff in how they’ve helped develop him. We think it puts us on the map as a destination club, globally.”

Mills said he was proud of Sarr’s progression both on and off the court in his NBL campaign, which saw him average 10 points, five rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in a sixth-man role.

“First and foremost, physically – he’s just turned 19, so he’s only just starting to fill out his frame, but with the levels of conditioning in our high-performance team, he’s been able to add a considerable amount of strength to his body,” Mills said.

“And then I think there was also consistency. Coming in and understanding what it takes to be a pro, and learning daily habits from Kristian Doolittle and Bryce Cotton and Jesse Wagstaff… being around those guys allowed him to realise what it takes to not just get to the next level, but to excel at that level and stay there.

“He’s worked extremely hard. Everyone’s thrilled for Alex and excited to see where he’s going to end up.”

Mills will be in the building at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center to share the draft excitement with Sarr before spending the coming weeks at Summer League in Las Vegas and in Europe to scout replacements for the young star and recently-departed import Jordan Usher.