2024 NBA Draft Scouting Reports - 20 of the Top Prospects
A composite of the first 20 prospects I have released my scouting notes on
ALEX SARR - PERTH
7’1 Big
18 Years Old (Turns 19 on April 26th)
From France, Currently Playing for Perth Wildcats in the NBL (previously with OTE)
9.5 PPG - 4.7 RPG - 1.0 APG - 0.4 SPG - 1.4 BPG - 1.1 TOPG (17.9 MPG - 26 GP)
50% on 7.4 FGA - 28% on 2.1 3PA - 68% on 2.4 FTA
My Draft Position - Top 3 Pick
*These are my raw, and condensed, scouting report notes from watching multiple games throughout the season*
ARCHETYPE/POTENTIAL ROLE
Defensive minded big with role and scheme versatility. Can be used as the primary defensive big, especially in ball screens, as well as in the off the ball roamer role. He combines great size and length with some really nice movement ability. A still raw, but extremely interesting, offensive game that has shown some flashes to attack with the ball in his hands and with potential to space the floor. Evan Mobley would be the best comp at this point as he has not shown the same consistency with his offensive game right now as someone like Chet Holmgren with his floor spacing and all around efficiency or Victor Wembanyama with the ability to run the offense through him.
OFFENSE
The “scouting report” coming into the season was that he had flashes but lacked consistency
There is still some truth to that in regards to his offense but some of what he has shown is REALLY intriguing
There are obvious strength, and maybe even conditioning, improvements that will be necessary but should be expected to happen as he matures in age
A lot of the offensive game is RAW but I lean towards believing in it or that he at least gets there eventually
HAS A GREAT SHORT ROLL RECOGNITION AND QUICK DECISION
I think in general he is getting better at playing from one action into the next
I think he has the foundational offensive skill (handle and passing ability) but he just can’t put it all together (yet)
Off the bounce, spin move, then gets blocked but continues to play and 1 foot floater
It just doesn’t look super fluid yet which probably has some people thinking it isn’t real
Tons of DHO, grab and go, drive and kick, etc
The shot looks fluid and smooth but the numbers don’t back it up right now
I think he can PnP
He loves the 1,2 dribble spin over right shoulder and fade away
This looks really smooth
There are examples where teams respect him as a floor spacing big
PnR draws 2 and weak side defender rotates to him
This is the “normal” rotation but if they scouted him as a non shooter it can be less aggressive or not at all
Would like to see him find ways to get a little more done around the rim, this might be the biggest area of growth I have looked for throughout the season and going into the NBA - has definitely improved throughout the year and had some impressive performances with it recently
Transition, PnR Lobs, OREBs, Dunker Spot, Mismatches in the post, etc.
I am starting to wonder about the vertical pop/explosion in some of these play finishing situations
Is it not there? Not there yet? OR Are they not putting him in positions to show it? (again, have seen more of it recently)
Had a couple lob chances but teammates don’t throw it
This could be teammates OR maybe they have tried and he hasn’t earned the trust
Had a couple dump offs where he really got challenged at the rim and either missed or got fouled
Feel like the gather takes quite a while at times, might be something he has to speed up when he gets to the NBA
I would like to see more “authority” and aggressiveness just attacking defenses downhill and finishing OVER (or through) defenders
Had a couple really fluid examples of this in a game at the end of the season
DEFENSE
His size and movement always stands out when I turn on a game
He is able to cover an immense amount of ground
Should be able to play multiple Ball Screen Defense Coverages but obviously Drop will be his main
Drop, Hard Hedge and some switch
Couple examples where he does show some better hand activity in ball screen defense
Specifically the pocket pass window
He HAS to learn to contest with his LEFT hand so he can keep good positioning
Got his hips turned sideways on a couple ball screen actions when he was playing at the line of the screen
Presence is felt defensively
Hard hedges ball screen, offense throws lobs and tries to quick finish layup lob cuz he knows if he lets Sarr recover he has no chance
Multiple examples in these games where he has his imprint all over consecutive defensive possessions
Ton of rim protection but also showed some perimeter flashes defending Holland and Buzelis (early season game vs G League Ignite)
He is able to move his feet and flip his hips on the perimeter defensively
He is still getting bullied out of rebounding position at times
I think he is trying to box out but just is not physical enough at times
ZACCHARIE RISACHER - JL BOURG
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