Washington Wizards’ No. 2 overall draft pick Alex Sarr faced significant challenges during his Summer League debut on Tuesday, shooting an unsettling 0-for-15 from the field, including 0-for-7 from beyond the arc, in a narrow 82-80 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Sarr finished the game without scoring, contributing nine rebounds, three steals, two blocks, two assists, and two turnovers.
The nature of Sarr’s misses was varied; he went 0-for-4 on shots directly under the basket, another 0-for-4 in the paint, and failed to convert any of his corner 3-point attempts. His struggles extended to the perimeter as well, where he missed all four of his attempts.
This performance comes into context when considering that Sarr was up against Blazers center Donovan Clingan, the No. 7 overall pick in this year’s draft. Clingan showcased his dominance with eight points, 13 rebounds, five blocks, two assists, and three turnovers, clearly winning the matchup of the top two drafted big men.
While it’s important not to label Sarr a bust after just one game, this outing raises questions for those skeptical of his readiness for the NBA. Concerns have been prevalent regarding his slender frame, limited experience against elite competition, and the need for offensive development.
Scouting reports have traditionally highlighted Sarr’s defensive potential as his immediate value, with hopes that he can evolve into a pick-and-pop offensive threat reminiscent of Chet Holmgren. However, Tuesday’s performance suggests he still has significant growth ahead in that area.
That said, Summer League is known for unpredictability, and Sarr has the opportunity to bounce back in future games.
