WASHINGTON Wizards guard Jordan Poole has vowed to help rookie Alex Sarr claim the NBA Rookie of the Year award.

The French 7-foot center will face tough competition in the race for the honor after an unpredictable draft that saw no clear No. 1 overall pick.

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Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole has said Alex Sarr’s new teammates will do his best to boost the Frenchman’s chances in the NBA Rookie of the Year raceCredit: Getty

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Sarr struggled on offense during the Las Vegas Summer League but flashed a ton of defensive potentialCredit: Getty

The Wizards selected Sarr at No. 2 during the 2024 NBA DraftCredit: Getty
Sarr, 19, landed at No. 2 behind fellow Frenchman Zaccharie Risacher, who headed to the Atlanta Hawks.

The versatile big man had been touted as a potential top selection before refusing to work out for the Hawks due to Washington reportedly being his preferred destination.

Sarr and Risacher won’t be the only favorites for the ROTY award though.

Houston Rockets guard and No. 3 pick Reed Sheppard proved he’ll be in consideration with a stellar Summer League performance.

Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey, who was the ninth pick, and Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, who went 11th, also boast high odds ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season tip-off.

But Poole, 25, told The U.S. Sun that the Wizards will have Sarr’s back.

“I mean, he’s the second pick,” the shooting guard said of his new teammate’s ROTY chances during the Las Vegas Summer League.

“We’re going to do what we can to put him in a position just to play his game, to show all of his strengths, and cover up his weaknesses as he learns and as he grows.

“We’re all extremely excited just to let him grow and become into himself, and really kind of fall in love with the city and play some really fun basketball.”

Sarr had an up-and-down Summer League, struggling on the offensive end while showing off his defensive prowess.
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He averaged 5.5 points per game on 19.1% shooting in addition to 7.8 rebounds and fourth-best 2.5 blocks per game.

The Frenchman told The U.S. Sun he would work hard to become a better player every day during his rookie campaign.

And Poole looked thrilled to see Sarr grow, noting his high ceiling and saying he fits well with the young Wizards squad.

“He’s athletic. He’s lengthy. He can run. He’s a really good shot blocker,” the guard said.

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“I think he just fits in with what direction we’re going in — a lot of young ballers, a lot of guys who can play, a lot of guys who have confidence.

“So just being able to kind of rally our guys together, get a really good group, just enjoy each other, gain chemistry.

“All being similar in age, just kind of going together would be super cool.”

He added: “He’s coming over to our team at the right time.”

Sarr will have his countryman Bilal Coulibaly, Washington’s No. 7 overall pick last year, to help him settle in.

With the addition of another France star to the roster, a new nickname for the team — Ouizards — quickly started doing the rounds on social media.

Asked if Wizards stars already came up with their own name for the growing French contingent, Poole said they were yet to find the right moniker.

“I’m sure we’ll come up with something clever,” the ex-Michigan standout laughed

Sarr said that it was a “lifelong dream” come true putting his Wizards jersey on for the first time after a journey that saw him hoop in Europe, Australia, and now the US.

“Now we’re just gonna put the work in and, you know, be an NBA player,” told The U.S. Sun in Vegas.