NBL Next Star Alex Sarr now a Washington Wizard while Aussie basketball talents wait on day two
It was no surprise Alex Sarr went to Washington at pick No.2 but a fellow NBA Next Star bolted up the NBA draft board, while an Aussie hope faces an anxious wait. DRAFT RECAP.
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One NBL young gun was moved to tears after his name was the second called in the 2024 NBA draft and a fellow Next Star bolted up the order, stamping the Australian league’s reputation for developing high-level basketball talent.
But a young Aussie, tipped to be among the top-20 picks, watched on from the green room at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn as one selection after another was announced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, his name not among them.
Those were the key takeaways from a mixed day for Australian-linked talent in the first round of Thursday’s NBA draft.
Emotions boiled over for Alex Sarr when the Washington Wizards claimed the French-born Perth Wildcat at pick No.2, while Illawarra Hawk AJ Johnson grinned from ear-to-ear as the Milwaukee Bucks took a flyer on the teen American with the 23rd pick.
And, while missing out in the first round is a blow, all hope is not lost for Melbourne-born wing Johnny Furphy, who, along with fellow Aussies Josh Bannan and Alex Ducas, as well as four other Next Stars in Ariel Hukporti (Melbourne United), Bobi Klintman (Cairns Taipans), Trentyn Flowers (Adelaide 36ers) and Mantas Rubstavicius (New Zealand Breakers), will wait anxiously for Friday’s second round.
Next Stars guru Liam Santamaria was elated with the first-round result and his anticipation for Friday was palpable.
“It was a historically good night for the NBL and our Next Stars program to have two first-round selections including the first ever top-two pick out of the league,” Santamaria said.
“Both Alex and AJ are loaded with upside and have benefited from a year of development in what is an elite pathway to the NBA.
“Our sights now turn towards the second round.
AJ Johnson is selected 23nd overall by the @Bucks in the 2024 #NBADraft presented by State Farm!
— NBA (@NBA) June 27, 2024
Watch on ABC & ESPN. pic.twitter.com/99deBOq8G2
“Bobi will be a steal for whomever snaps him up, while Trentyn, Ariel and Mantas all have plenty to offer to NBA teams moving forward.
“We’re also cheering for Johnny Furphy, who has a really bright future ahead of him.”
Sarr, 19, made it a French one-two when he followed No.1 pick and compatriot Zaccharie Risacher (Atlanta) into the league and became the highest-drafted Next Star ever.
Now able to sign a contract that could exceed US$11 million in its first season, Sarr paid tribute to brother Olivier, who went undrafted in the 2021 draft.
“I know how it feels (for Olivier) to go undrafted,” Sarr said on ESPN as he fought back tears.
“For me to be able to be a top pick now, it’s special.
“He’s shared a lot with me, everything I’ve learned is through him.”
The 213cm big man will line up alongside fellow Frenchman Bilal Coulibaly, charged with helping turn around one of the worst teams in the NBA.
Johnson, 19, barely played for the Illawarra Hawks last season but was ultra impressive at the NBA Draft combine and caught the eye of the Bucks.
It’s a speculative pick — he wasn’t ready for the rigours of the NBL and many thought he would be an early second-rounder — but Milwaukee will back in his God-given gifts and hope the 198cm guard’s skills and basketball IQ can catch up.
“I’m super proud of myself just sticking through that Australian season, knowing things were not going my way but continuing to believe in myself every single day, and keep taking steps and getting better and looking at the bigger picture of my career,” Johnson said.
“I feel like it’s a great experience of being out there.
Johnson said it felt “surreal” to be headed to Milwaukee to play alongside dual-NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Furphy is listed by many respected draft watchers as the best talent left in the draft, which should hopefully ensure a team snaps him up quickly on Thursday.
Out of Melbourne, Victoria, the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence product impressed at Kansas as a college freshman, producing 14.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game when promoted to the starting line-up as injuries, mid-season, although he struggled for consistency.
Highly-rated for his versatility, athleticism, the 206cm wing had many fans of his talent, so it’s a surprise an NBA team chose not to take a flyer on the tough-as-nails wing in the first round.
AUSSIE-LINKED ROUND 1 PICKS
2. Washington Wizards — Alexandre Sarr, France, Perth Wildcats (NBL Next Stars)
23. Milwaukee Bucks — AJ Johnson, USA, Illawarra Hawks (NBL Next Stars)
STILL A CHANCE IN ROUND 2
Johnny Furphy — Australia, Kansas
Josh Bannan — Australia, Brisbane Bullets, NBL
Alex Ducas — Australia, St Mary’s
Ariel Hukporti — Germany, Melbourne United (NBL Next Stars)
Bobi Klintman — Sweden, Cairns Taipans (NBL Next Stars)
Trentyn Flowers — USA, Adelaide 36ers (NBL Next Stars)
Mantas Rubstavicius — Lithuania, New Zealand Breakers (NBL Next Stars)
Re-live the draft action in our live blog below!
1.15PM: AUSSIE FURPHY TO WAIT ON NBA FATE
Tipped to potentially go in the top-20, Aussie sharpshooter Johnny Furphy has been passed over in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft after the newly-crowned champion Boston Celtics chose Baylor Scheierman with the 30th and final pick.
The poor kid has sat in the green room at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn as 30 other names were called.
Hope isn’t lost for the 19-year-old but he will have an anxious overnight wait before he’ll find out if a team will select him in the second round.
Out of Melbourne, Victoria, the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence product impressed at Kansas as a college freshman, producing 14.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game when promoted to the starting line-up, mid-season.
Highly-rated for his versatility, athleticism, the 206cm wing impressed many at the Jayhawks, so it’s a surprise an NBA team chose not to take a flyer on the tough-as-nails wing in the first round.
12.30PM: ILLAWARRA HAWK AJ JOHNSON GETS HIS SHOT AS A DRAFT BOLTER
It took until pick No.23 but the second NBL Next Star has had his name called.
Illawarra Hawk AJ Johnson goes to Milwaukee with the 23rd pick in the 2024 NBA draft.
This kid is a ridiculous athlete — didn’t play a whole lot for the Hawks — but learnt how to be a pro and was ultra impressive at the NBA Draft combine that obviously caught the eye of the Bucks.
It’s a speculative pick — he wasn’t ready for the rigours of the NBL — but Milwaukee will back in his God-given gifts and hope the learned skills and basketball IQ can catch up.
The 19-year-old Californian joins fellow Next Star Alex Sarr, who was drafted by the Washington Wizards at pick No.2.
11.16AM — JOSH GIDDEY GETS A NEW TEAMMATE AT PICK NO.11
With Aussie Boomer Josh Giddey’s trade to Chicago, he’ll now team up with ultra confident G League Ignite product Matas Buzelis.
Kid’s a tall, INSANE athlete, will be on the highlight reels — but needs work on the three ball.
Lithuanian lineage but born and raised in Chicago, tears streamed and his bro has the Bulls cap on and he’s losing it.
11.11AM — THIS WAS A REAL QUESTION IN SARR’S PRESS CONFERENCE
Alex Sarr has spoken with media after he was selected with the No.2 pick by Washington. This was the best one reporter could come up with:
“I understand you grew up in French wine country, Bordeaux. Red wine has health benefits. Curious if there is a brand that your family enjoys, anything you can pass on to us, a tip for a good red wine that’s reasonably priced?”
Seriously???
Sarr’s response: “I can’t really tell you much about that, but maybe if you go there and ask people, they will tell you.”
11AM — A SPUR... FOR A MINUTE
San Antonio selected talented Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham with the eighth pick, but an immediate Woj Bomb from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has him on-traded to Minnesota. He’s still got the Spurs hat on, for the moment.
10.38AM — YOUR 2024 NBA DRAFT TOP FIVE
1 Atlanta Hawks — Zaccharie Risacher, France, JL Bourg-en-Bresse (France)
2 Washington Wizards — Alexandre Sarr, France, Perth Wildcats (NBL Next Stars, Australia)
3 Houston Rockets — Reed Sheppard, Kentucky
4 San Antonio Spurs — Stephon Castle, Connecticut
5 Detroit Pistons — Ron Holland II, NBA G League Ignite
It’s safe to say, Wizards fans are VERY happy with the arrival of Alex Sarr!
Here's video of the reaction from Wizards fans inside Capital One Arena as Adam Silver announced the team drafted Alex Sarr: pic.twitter.com/GMdA6DLMC3
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) June 27, 2024
10.18AM — TEARS FLOW AS NBL NEXT STAR ALEX SARR GOES NO.2
The NBL is on the board early with Alex Sarr’s name called by the Washington Wizards. Sarr is an incredible talent, was brilliant in Perth, he’s ridiculously athletic and he has shoulders as wide as a Mack truck.
It’s an emotional moment for Sarr, whose brother Olivier plays for Oklahoma City, but went undrafted in his class.
“I know how it feels (for Olivier) to go undrafted,” Sarr said on ESPN as he fought back tears.
“For me to be able to be a top pick now, it’s special.
“He’s shared a lot with me, everything I’ve learned is through him.”
Great talent, great kid. I wanted him alongside Wemby in San Antonio, but he’s going to be given ample opportunity at one of the NBA’s worst teams.
He’s a 213cm centre who can stretch the floor, 19-year-old born in Bordeaux in France, spent time with Real Madrid in Spain, then Overtime Elite and really made his name in Perth!
An exciting moment for Sarr and the NBL.
He joins French compatriot Bilal Coulibaly in Washington.
10.05AM: PICK NO.1 — ATLANTA HAWKS NAB FRENCHMAN WITH PICK ONE
With the first pick in the 2024 NBA draft, the Atlanta Hawks select ... Zaccharie Risacher.
Second year in a row a Frenchman goes No.1 — Victor Wembanyama. Two-way 207cm wing, 19-years-old.
A Hawks fan in the crowd is wearing a beret — presumably because he hoped they’d pick Frenchman ... in and he was just caught on camera necking a beer.
“It’s a blessing, so exciting,” Risacher said.
The Washington Wizards are on the clock.
10AM: DRAFTEES IN THE HOUSE
All the fashion and bluster is well underway, the lottery hopefuls have shown off their draft day fits and they’re being introduced in the house at Brooklyn.
Aside from Perth Wildcats NBA Next Star Alex Sarr, who is projected to go at No.2, Melbourne boy Johnny Furphy and Sarr’s fellow Next Star AJ Johnson is the next popular with a chance to go in round one.
The Atlanta Hawks are on the clock...
EVERY ROUND ONE PICK
1 Atlanta Hawks — Zaccharie Risacher, France, JL Bourg-en-Bresse (France)
2 Washington Wizards — Alexandre Sarr, France, Perth Wildcats (NBL Next Stars, Australia)
3 Houston Rockets — Reed Sheppard, USA, Kentucky
4 San Antonio Spurs — Stephon Castle, USA, Connecticut
5 Detroit Pistons — Ron Holland II, USA, NBA G League Ignite
6 Charlotte Hornets — Tidjane Salaun, France, Cholet Basket (France)
7 Portland Trail Blazers — Donovan Clingan, USA, Connecticut
8 San Antonio Spurs — Rob Dillingham, USA, Kentucky — traded to Minnesota
9 Memphis Grizzlies — Zach Edey, Canada, Purdue
10 Utah Jazz — Cody Williams, USA, Colorado
11 Chicago Bulls — Matas Buzelis, USA, NBA G League Ignite
12 Oklahoma City Thunder — Nikola Topic, Serbia, GKK Crvena Zvezda (Serbia)
13 Sacramento Kings — Devin Carter, USA, Providence
14 Portland Trail Blazers — Carlton Carrington, USA, Pittsburgh —
traded to Washington
15 Miami Heat — Kel’el Ware, USA, Indiana
16 Philadelphia 76ers — Jared McCain, USA, Duke
17 Los Angeles Lakers — Dalton Knecht, USA, Tennessee
18 Orlando Magic — Tristan da Silva, Germany, Colorado
19 Toronto Raptors — Ja’Kobe Walter, USA, Baylor
20 Cleveland Cavaliers — Jaylon Tyson, USA, California
21 New Orleans Pelicans — Yves Missi, Cameroon, Baylor
22 Phoenix Suns — DaRon Holmes II, USA, Dayton
23 Milwaukee Bucks — AJ Johnson, USA, Illawarra Hawks (NBL Next Stars, Australia)
24 New York Knicks — Kyshawn George, Switzerland, Miami
25 New York Knicks — Pacome Dadiet, France, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
26 Washington Wizards — Dillon Jones, USA, Weber State
27 Minnesota Timberwolves —Terrence Shannon Jr, USA, Illinois
28 Denver Nuggets — Ryan Dunn, USA, Virginia
29 Utah Jazz — Isaiah Collier, USA, USC
30 Boston Celtics — Baylor Scheierman, USA, Creighton
THE AUSSIE AND NBL CONTENDERS
—Matt Logue
Three Australians are in the mix, along with a cast of talented hoopers who showcased their ability in the NBL, led by projected lottery pick Alex Sarr.
Sarr, who suited up for the Wildcats in NBL24, is predicted to be taken with the No. 2 pick by the Washington Wizards.
Swedish superstar in the making Bobi Klintman, who played for Cairns Taipans, could also go in the first round, as could Illawarra Hawks gun AJ Johnson.
Australian talent Johnny Furphy is expected to also be a first-round pick.
The first round of the NBA Draft will be shown on ESPN and Kayo from 10am on Thursday live from the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn.
The second round will be live on Friday from 6am.
Australians in the mix
Johnny Furphy
(University of Kansas): mid first-round pick
Alex Ducas
(Saint Mary’s College): unlikely to be drafted but could be a bolter
Josh Bannan
(Brisbane Bullets): Potential late second round
NBL Next Stars
Alex Sarr
(Perth Wildcats): Predicted No. 2 pick to the Washington Wizards
Bobi Klintman
(Cairns Taipans): Open-ended between first or second round
AJ Johnson
(Illawarra Hawks): Late first to early second round
Trentyn Flowers
(Adelaide 36ers): Potential second round
Ariel Hukporti
(Melbourne United): Potential second round
Mantas Rubštavičius
(New Zealand Breakers): Potential second round
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