The Las Vegas Summer League often serves as a proving ground for young talent, providing an early glimpse into the potential future stars of the NBA. For the Washington Wizards' rookie Alex Sarr, however, his performance against the Portland Trail Blazers was one he will likely want to put behind him. Sarr endured a historically tough night, missing all 15 of his field goal attempts—a record for the most attempts without a single make in a Summer League game since at least 2017.
Despite his dismal shooting, Sarr did show some promise in other areas of the game. In less than 30 minutes of play, he managed to grab 9 rebounds, dish out 3 assists, and block 3 shots. These defensive stats suggest that Sarr's value might lie beyond his current offensive struggles.
Thus far, Sarr's difficulties with scoring have been a continuing theme throughout his Summer League outings. Over three games, he has failed to shoot above 35% in any contest. This troubling trend has left him with an overall shooting percentage of just 19.5%, a figure that will undoubtedly need substantial improvement if he hopes to make a regular-season roster. Still, it is important to remember that Sarr is only 19 years old and has time to adjust to the pace and intensity of NBA-level basketball.
His offensive woes were particularly glaring against Portland, where he missed all seven of his three-point attempts and both of his free throws. It's a stark contrast to his previous season in Western Australia with the Perth Wildcats as part of the NBL's Next Stars program, where he was seen as a promising young player.
Amid the shooting struggles, there are positive takeaways for the Wizards' coaching staff. Sarr is averaging 6.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, reflecting his ability to contribute on the boards. More impressively, he is also averaging 3 blocks per game, showcasing his defensive potential, which could make him a valuable asset in the paint.
The Summer League is just one step in Sarr's journey, and while his latest outing was a difficult one, it doesn't define his career. The Wizards and their fans will be watching closely to see how the young forward bounces back from this challenging experience. Only time will tell if Sarr can translate his rebounding and shot-blocking prowess into a more well-rounded game, but for now, the focus will be on refining his shooting stroke and building his confidence on the offensive end.