Has This Former Second-Overall Pick Lived Up to Expectations?

When the Washington Wizards selected Alex Sarr with the second overall pick, the hope was clear: he would become a cornerstone of the franchise’s rebuild—a defensive anchor with enough offensive upside to grow into an all-star. Now, with a full season under his belt, the question lingers: has Sarr truly delivered on the promise that made him one of the most coveted prospects in his draft class? The seven-foot Frenchman has experienced his share of ups and downs, but overall, he has carved out a meaningful role on a young Washington team eager to grow. His blend of length, mobility, and shot-blocking has already left its mark, yet the answer to whether he’s lived up to expectations is not as straightforward as his draft position might suggest.

Through the first half of the season, Sarr proved he could impact the game on both ends of the floor, averaging 11.4 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks per game. For a second overall pick, however, those numbers were steady but far from spectacular. While his shot-blocking stood out, he sometimes struggled with defensive positioning—closing out on three-point shooters but leaving the paint vulnerable for bigger opponents to crash the boards. Offensively, his biggest obstacle was efficiency. He shot just 39.4% from the field, 30.8% from three, and 67.9% from the free-throw line—numbers that were especially costly for a team that ranked last in the NBA in scoring at the time.

After the All-Star break, Sarr’s production saw a notable bump. His scoring rose from 11.4 to 15.6 points per game, his assists ticked upward, and his free-throw percentage improved to 72.4%, contributing to the scoring boost. Still, his overall shooting efficiency remained nearly unchanged—his field goal percentage improved from 39.4% to 39.5%, while his three-point accuracy stayed the same. These numbers, while they improved, are still below the expectations that were set for him going into the season.

Despite these limitations, Sarr’s rookie season was not without standout moments. He finished second among all rookies in both total blocks and blocks per game and turned in a 34-point performance in a win over the Denver Nuggets, holding his own against three-time MVP Nikola Jokić. Moments like that show flashes of the player Washington hopes he will become. For now, the 2024 draft’s second overall pick still has significant room to grow if he’s to fulfill his billing as the franchise cornerstone the Wizards are counting on.