As is often the case with No. 2 picks burdened by great expectation, Alex Sarr, in all likelihood, understood that bucket-getting brilliance at the NBA level stood as a work in progress. It wasn’t too early, though, for the Washington Wizards’ new center to begin introducing potentially-generational gifts along the floor’s less glamorous side. Trapped on a perimeter island against All-Star caliber forward Franz Wagner, Sarr presents enough of a barricade to prompt the Orlando Magic forward into a faraway gather and a difficult hook shot attempt. Showing the NBA’s No. 1-ranked defense that two can play the lockdown game, Sarr entrusts his 7-foot-4 wingspan, emphatically redirecting the shot towards Row A. Even in November 10, 2024’s defeat, Sarr left few versatile stones unturned, as he led fastbreaks, delivered behind-the-back dimes, and stifled his way into six shot contests. The box score reflected similar capabilities as the gifted Frenchman turned in an 11-point, three-rebound, four-assist, one-steal, two-triple, two-block tally, ultimately becoming the second-fastest teenager in league history to record 20 blocks. · Nov 10, 2024