Atlanta Hawks general manager Landry Fields confirmed that Frenchman Alexandre Sarr declined to conduct a workout with the organization ahead of the 2024 NBA draft.
Sarr is in the conversation to be the No. 1 pick by the Hawks on Wednesday, along with fellow countryman Zaccharie Risacher and UConn center Donovan Clingan. The team had Risacher and Clingan in for workouts but couldn’t secure one with Sarr.
The 7-footer was viewed as the front-runner to be the top pick after a productive year in the NBL with the Perth Wildcats. However, he dropped on most mock drafts to No. 2 to Washington after the Hawks won the draft lottery last month.
“(Sarr) was scheduled to come to work out,” Fields said Tuesday on 92.9 The Game in Atlanta. “We had it on the books, and then he declined to come work out.”
Sarr addressed the statement by Fields at the draft in New York.
I have a great team around me. Bill Duffy and WME (Sports) have already been through all of this and I trust them. I’m not going to get into the specifics of where I worked out or where I didn’t, but I’ve been doing my best in my workouts and that is all I can control.
Fields said in the interview that Sarr was the only prospect to decline a workout invitation by the team. He said the organization has finalized its draft board and has a strong idea about who it will draft with the first pick on Wednesday, barring a trade.
The comments by Fields and Sarr appear to be posturing tactics by both sides, which is typical ahead of the draft. It is unclear if it ensures that Risacher will now be the pick by the Hawks but he is currently the favorite to be the top pick by most sportsbooks.
Alex Sarr on why he declined to workout with the Atlanta Hawks #NBA #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/v8OvOxqKWX
— Baillie Burmaster (@baillie_burm) June 25, 2024
Sarr averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks on 52% shooting from the field last season with the Wildcats. He scored in double figures 14 times, including a season-high 18 points, five blocks and two rebounds on Jan. 26 against the S.E. Melbourne Phoenix.
The 19-year-old is highly touted for his ability to protect the paint and block shots with his 7-foot, 4 1/4-inch wingspan. He has an evolving offensive game and has drawn some comparisons to Giannis Antetokounmpo with his size, skill set and ability in the open court.
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