French teenage sensation, Alexandre Sarr, has signed with the Perth Wildcats for the 2023/24 Hungry Jack’s NBL season as part of the Next Stars program.

The seven-footer is a mouth-watering prospect, possessing an exciting blend of size, length, athleticism, and versatility.

Currently the projected 17th pick in ESPN’s 2024 NBA mock Draft, the 18-year-old has the potential to rocket up the order with strong performances in the NBL next season.

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Alexandre to our Next Stars program,” NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said. 

“There has been a distinct French flavour to the program in recent years, with Ousmane Dieng and Rayan Rupert both playing for the New Zealand Breakers in the past two seasons. Ousmane was pick 11 in last year’s NBA Draft, while Rayan is expected to be a first round pick this year.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Making history ?<br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PerthWildcats</a> have signed French phenom Alexandre Sarr as the first Next Star in the history of the club ?<br><br>Read more: <a href="https://t.co/ANylYYvR64">https://t.co/ANylYYvR64</a> <a href="https://t.co/DvLAVskkwv">pic.twitter.com/DvLAVskkwv</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1655717274257612800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sarr can’t wait to join the Wildcats and test himself in the NBL.

“It feels great, it’s a new experience for me, I’ve never been near Australia before, but I can’t wait to take on the challenge,” Sarr said.

“I’ve really liked what I’ve seen when I’ve watched some Wildcats games, the way they play, RAC Arena and the fans are crazy, and I just wanted to be a part of it and build my own legacy through it.

“I’m looking forward to getting on the court with my teammates and competing and trying to do my best every day.”

Sarr has spent the past two years developing his game at Overtime Elite (OTE) in the United States. Competing at OTE with, and against, some of the world’s brightest young talents, he has grown into an elite prospect and is now looking to further develop his game at the NBL level.

“I have no doubt Alexandre will build on the strong NBL careers of his fellow countrymen and grow his NBA prospects,” Loeliger added.

“Joining the NBL’s most successful club, the Wildcats, will be of immense benefit to Alexandre’s development, as he immerses himself in a professional environment with a fantastic set of coaches and teammates.”

Prior to his stint at OTE, Sarr competed in Spain with Real Madrid’s Cadet A Youth Team.

Sarr has established himself in France’s national team program, winning a bronze medal at the 2022 U17 World Cup, where he averaged 12 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.

Perth’s newest big man is set to provide coach John Rillie with explosive finishing around the basket and versatility on the defensive end.  

“Alex’s youth, athleticism and potential is what attracted us as they were attributes we want to address in the off-season,” Rillie said.

“He will bring length, rim protection and a new dimension to our defense we haven’t had, while his natural offensive skills will be a natural fit.”

The Sarr family has a strong basketball pedigree, with Alexandre’s older brother, Olivier, having spent the 2022-23 NBA season with the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder.

“This is an extremely exciting signing for the club to be able to secure an elite talent like Alexandre as a Next Star,” Perth’s GM of Basketball, Danny Mills said.

“We can’t wait to welcome Alex, his parents – Marie and Massar – and his older brother Olivier into the Perth Wildcats family and eagerly await their arrival.”