What we learned about the top NBA draft prospects at the G League Fall Invitational
What we learned about the top NBA draft prospects at the G League Fall Invitational
A new potential No. 1 pick emerges as NBA draft season commences
HENDERSON, NV — Just miles from the bright lights of the Las Vegas strip, Perth Wildcats center Alexandre Sarr showcased his star potential over two exhibition games that were billed to feature the projected top two picks in the 2024 draft.
Coming into the matchup, the attention was mainly on G League Ignite teammates Ron Holland and Matas Buzelis as the headliners for the first-annual G League Fall invitational — which drew a large contingent of NBA scouts and personnel.
However, Sarr had other plans.
While it wasn't Victor Wembanyama vs. Scoot Henderson, Holland vs. Sarr didn't disappoint, and each made the case for why he should be the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft.
Alexandre Sarr could be the No. 1 pick …
I've been a big fan of Sarr's talent and upside for the last few years, but I’ve openly questioned his lack of consistent production and the way he only teases with dominance.
This time around, Sarr answered my questions and concerns by playing with confidence and intensity. He displayed a competitive fire I hadn't seen consistently from him dating back to his time with Real Madrid. In one sequence, he rejected an Ignite shot into the crowd and barked at his opponents — sending a message that the paint was his territory, which previously would have seemed out of character for the mild-mannered Sarr.
With just two exhibition games, Sarr transformed his reputation and established himself as a legitimate candidate to be the top pick in 2024. If does go No. 1, he’ll be following in the footsteps of fellow Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, the top overall pick in June’s draft.
In the pair of games, the 7'1" Sarr averaged a whopping six blocks per game with several emphatic rejections that landed in courtside seats near NBA personnel.
Sarr looked the part of an elite defender with his ability to defend in space, highlighted by a possession in which he bottled up and smothered a lightning-quick Holland, who couldn't shake free of the Frenchmen in isolation.
On the offensive end, Sarr finished strongly in the paint, played through contact, and showcased his shooting range by connecting on 2 of his 5 attempts from deep.
It's easy to envision Sarr as a paint protector who can anchor a defense, switch out on guards in space, and stretch the floor — a combination of skills highly valued in today's NBA.
After averaging a modest 11.1 points and 6.4 rebounds playing for the YNG Dreamerz of Overtime Elite last season and 7.4 points and 5.9 rebounds for the French national team at the Under 19 Basketball World Cup, Sarr has looked like a totally different player since arriving Down Under to play for Perth’s NBL squad.
"I didn't see any of this the last two years at OTE," said one high-ranking executive in attendance.
"This draft is wide open and kinda hard to get excited about, but if Sarr can't maintain this level of play, he could come out on top.”
In the two games vs. the Ignite, Sarr averaged 21.5 points on 59% shooting, along with 8.5 rebounds and 6 blocks per contest.
… if he can surpass Ron Holland
Holland scored 56 points over the two-game showcase, finishing with 33 points, six rebounds, and five steals on Friday night.
Holland is still making the transition from frontcourt player on the prep level to professional wing, but one thing is for certain: His quickness, athleticism, motor, and energy translate on any level.
He routinely blew by Perth defenders and was difficult to contain when he attacked downhill, which led to 20 attempts at the charity stripe.
The biggest concerns coming into this season are Holland's outside shooting and whether he has enough perimeter skill and off-the-dribble game to create offense in the half-court.
While there were possessions in which he over-dribbled or failed to make the simple play, it was hard not to be impressed with the growth and development of his perimeter game over the last few months.
He connected on 4 of his 10 long-range attempts and shot 16 for 20 from the charity stripe, quieting doubts about his touch outside the paint.
Defensively, Holland was all over the place, coming away with nearly every 50/50 ball and using his blazing speed to turn every steal or long rebound into a personal fast break.
Holland can still improve as a ball handler, passer, and shooter, which could ultimately work in his favor by draft time. The way he impacts and changes games with his athleticism, energy, and defense — while averaging 28 ppg — shows he's only scratching the surface of his potential.
Pump the brakes on Matas Buzelis as a top pick
Yes, it's really early, and two exhibition games are too small a sample size to form a strong opinion on a prospect.
However, after being concerned about Sarr and how his production didn't match his talent, I'm starting to have the same feeling towards Matas Buzelis.
On paper, he was productive, averaging 16.5 points while shooting 50% from the floor and 42% from downtown, and showed glimpses of his limitless potential.
But there were long stretches where Buzelis was a non-factor on offense, often just standing around on the perimeter and playing tentatively. He shied away from contact and struggled to finish at the rim against length. There were also several plays where Perth targeted and attacked him on defense. To be fair, though, the results were mixed, as on occasion, he’d make plays off the dribble, knock down open shots, and use his length to alter shots around the rim.
Talent is not an issue, as Buzelis has the tools and skill level to be the best player in this draft class — but he seems more comfortable in a complementary role. He is 6'10", can shoot, pass and handle, and has the size and length to be a versatile, switchy defender.
Buzelis should be a lock to be selected in the top five; however, I believe he could be the top pick with a more aggressive and assertive mindset.
Is Izan Almansa the next Joakim Noah?
Almansa is a prospect I've wrestled with over and over in my mind for the past year.
He's one of the most accomplished international prospects in history, winning three consecutive MVP awards in FIBA youth competitions over the previous two summers. But despite his impressive résumé, I have tended to focus on what he lacks instead of everything he brings to the table. He's not an elite athlete who plays above the rim, he doesn't space the floor, and his low-post game isn't exactly aesthetically appealing. All of that makes him similar to Joakim Noah.
After seeing him in person in Henderson, I've come to appreciate Almansa’s strengths and the difference he makes when he's on the floor. He's an excellent rim roller with a high IQ who plays unselfishly and gives his team extra possessions with his effort on the glass and timely tip-outs.
His touch around the rim is impressive as he finishes with weird, unorthodox Antawn Jamison-like angles in traffic.
Almansa projects to be a complementary role player who contributes to winning basketball with his energy, IQ, and feel as a passer/ball mover, which is worthy of a lottery pick in 2024.
Babacar Sane and Tyler Smith deserve more love
Sane made a name for himself last week and will be closely monitored by NBA teams over the next few months. He's a physical specimen with a chiseled, NBA-ready frame that embraces contact and physicality.
Sane showed a glimpse of his potential last January in a game against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants when he scored 17 points and grabbed 18 rebounds.
In two games against Perth, Sane averaged 12 points and 9 rebounds per game while shooting 37% from deep on eight attempts. Sane showed promise as a shooter, glass cleaner, and straight-line driver who can attack closeouts.
He's still raw, and his feel for the game is a work in progress, as he posted only one assist compared to five turnovers and tends to force the issue on drives to the rim.
Sane's performance was uneven. He had 15 points and six rebounds on 6-of-12 shooting and 3-of-6 from deep on Wednesday night, but struggled in the second game, missing 12 of his 16 attempts and finishing with 9 points and a team-high 12 rebounds on Friday night.
Smith, a highly touted recruit before vanishing from the public eye in the two years he played at OTE, scored 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting and was a team-high +25 in the Ignite's 19-point win in the first game against Perth.
He struggled with his shot in the second matchup, converting 3 of his 10 attempts, but he contributed on the defensive end with 5 blocks.
At 6'11”, Smith showed promise as a modern-day NBA 4 who can space the floor and protect the rim as he posted 7 blocks coming off the bench in the two-game set.
Long time since there’s been a post (?)