Leading global prospect Sarr devotes to Duke

• Jonathan GivonyMay 22, 2025, 02:12 PM ET Close NBA draft analyst and writer Joined ESPN.com in July 2017
  Creator and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a personal scouting and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA and international teams

Top global basketball prospect Dame Sarr has actually devoted to Duke, he told ESPN on Thursday.

“Duke was my dream school,” Sarr stated. “I watched a great deal of NCAA games this season, particularly Duke. I had fun with Jabari Parker this season, who went to Duke. When I had the possibility to go there, I had to take it.”

“My supreme objective is to play in the NBA, “Sarr continued. “There’s no much better place to prepare you for that than Duke. For me to be as NBA-ready as possible, and become the very best variation of myself, I required to have both experiences– betting a professional group like Barcelona, and playing in a various type of professional environment like Duke versus other players my age. Opportunity, minutes, repetition– this path is the very best next step for me at this time.”

Dame Sarr made his Spanish ACB league launching for Barcelona as a 16-year old in 2023, the second-youngest player in club history to do so. Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images

The 6-foot-8 wing from Italy made his Spanish ACB league debut for Barcelona as a 16-year old in 2023, the second-youngest player in club history to do so. He ended up being a rotation player for them in the Euroleague and ACB this season. He made his launching with the Italian senior nationwide team last November, after previously starring for it at the FIBA U16 and U18 Eurobaskets.

“I’m very grateful for this season,” Sarr stated. “I improved a lot as a player and individual. My colleagues and a few of the coaching personnel were fantastic to me. It’s because of them that I had this chance. They belong of my development and I value them for that.”

Sarr had a breakout displaying in front of NBA scouts last month at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon, publishing 17 points and 4 rebounds in 25 minutes versus a group of elite US high school players, consisting of A.J. Dybantsa and future Duke colleagues Cameron and Cayden Boozer.His choice to participate in the event, nevertheless, produced a reaction, as Barcelona launched a declaration slamming him for leaving the team without approval. The club initially reacted favorably to Sarr’s invitation to go to the Hoop Summit earlier in the season, however later on rescinded that when he ended up being a crucial component in the team’s rotation. His amateur contract with the club expires next month.

“We had an arrangement to allow me to go to Hoop Top,” Sarr said. “I didn’t feel it was best to withdraw from the game after having actually accepted the invite based on their approval. My teammates supported me in my choice, this is already in the past, we ended everything on fantastic terms, and I still like Barcelona.”

Sarr looks poised to enter an important function on the wing next season at Duke alongside increasing sophomore Isaiah Evans. Washington State transfer Cedric Coward was initially slated to fill that role after committing to play for Duke last month, but appears likely to stay in the NBA draft at the May 28 deadline.Sarr says he plans to

bring versatility on both ends of the flooring to complement a young roster highlighted by a trio of inbound McDonald’s All Americans in the Boozer bros and forward Nikolas Khamenia, in addition to returning players Evans, Caleb Foster, Patrick Ngongba, Malique Lewis and Darren Harris.” Duke is losing Kon Knueppel and Tyrese Proctor– who have a similar playing style as me, “Sarr stated.”My winning mindset and ability to play together with other great players, while developing shots for myself and others, will assist me, in addition to my offense and defensive flexibility. It’s a gifted lineup. We require the pieces to fit in well.”Sarr simply finished a main check out to Duke and states he

plans to formally register at the school after acquiring his visa next month.Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft specialist and the creator and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a personal hunting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and International groups.