“I had a great year playing professional basketball in the NBL. There was a lot of growth in my game and as a person. I’m ready for the next step, so it was obvious for me to declare for the draft. I’m grateful for the year I spent in the NBL with the Perth Wildcats,” said the potential No. 1 pick, Alex Sarr, while declaring for this year’s NBA draft last week.

After having a developmental season with NBL’s Perth Wildcats, Sarr has decided to take his leap into the NBA. Last season, the 7-foot-1 averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game, leading Perth to the semifinals of the NBL playoff. Now, ahead of his professional transition, Sarr shares his thoughts on how NBA players inspire him to be better.

Giannis Antetokounmpo inspires Alex Sarr

In the recent episode of ‘Podcast p with Paul George’, french phenom, Alex Sarr engaged in a conversation with Paul George. Sarr gave insightful opinions about some NBA players and their signature moves that he emulates in his game, saying, “I like watching Giannis, uh, KD, AD too, like, that’s more of, like, my position guys. I mean, of course, you know, like, I watch, I watch guards, but at the end of the day, like, you can get a little moves from the guards, but I can’t really, you know, like, go out there and do the crosses he be doing, you know.”

“You got to stick to your game. But, uh yeah, like these guys, you know, if I just pick what Giannis does in transition, you know, like, just the bumps into a one-two and finish throwing at The Rim, like that’s a move I think when you’re like long, you know, and athletic, you know, he can really like help you,” Sarr on how he draws his inspiration from Giannis’ stellar moves on the court. Regarded as one of the greatest power forwards of all time, Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most successful foreign players in the NBA. Moving to another level of his career, Sarr aspires to reach the same level.

Sarr on his go-to moves

As the conversation moves forward, George gives Sarr a scenario where the score is tied at 115-115 and asks him, “8 seconds on the clock, you got the ball on the island to go win it. What’s your go-to?” Sarr responds to the question by saying, “I’ll do a right hand in and out, see what happens after that, see what he doing, then I’ll just drive really hard with my right hand. If anything happens, I got my spin to the left and I’ll try to go to the rim. I’ll try spin dunking two hands.”

His answer resonates with a sharp court vision, keeping all the possibilities in consideration. Undoubtedly, Alex Sarr is one of those players who have been dearly gifted with strong physicality. His 7-foot-1 stance and 7-foot-4-and-a-half wingspan make him a firm rim protector. Moreover, this feature also shows promise that he can emerge as one of the best defenders who can guard small players on the perimeter. “My versatility on the court went to another level this season. My consistency got better. On offense, being able to play inside out. Making good reads on defense in pick-and-roll coverages,” he says describing the growth he attained in this past season.

Currently, Sarr is gearing up for the NBA draft and watches the entire NBA to better understand the game. This year, the NBA draft is set to be held late in June. Meanwhile, stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video.