Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Washington Wizards rookie Alex Sarr had a rough Summer League.

With averages of 5.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.5 blocks per game, it certainly wasn’t all bad. But when the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft shoots 19.1 percent from the field and 11.8 percent from the three-point line, it’s sure to turn heads. It even makes you wonder what his team – teammates, coaches and executives – thought of his performance.

But in Las Vegas, Wizards head coach Brian Keefe was right there on the scene. After seeing their rookie up close, he had a lot to say. To the surprise of some, the (public) criticism was overwhelmingly positive.

Brian Keefe of the Wizards dives deep into the potential of Alex Sarr

In an interview with Chase Hughes of the Monumental Sports Network, Keefe explained why his team thinks so highly of the 19-year-old.

“…You can obviously see the versatility,” Keefe said. “He’s great on both ends, but especially defensively. He can defend all kinds of positions.”

“He has the ability to score at three levels at some point,” he continued. “But one thing that really stood out to us is his ability to see and read the game. He’s a good passer, so we want to have the ball in his hands so he can explore those opportunities to make plays for himself and others.”

“We’re going to play a little bit positionally, so a lot of people will be making the decisions and taking control of things,” reveals the Massachusetts native.

The scouting report in detail

There is no debate about Keefe’s scouting report on Sarr.

A true 2.13-meter player, the lithe Sarr has proven that he can pose a threat on defense.

Nothing to see here, just Alex Sarr deflecting a pick-and-roll lob pass and playing defense like he’s already a seasoned veteran. pic.twitter.com/aOe20uTwRz

— Dan Olinger (@dan_olinger) July 13, 2024

He’s a big man who knows how to use his length and often blocks shots. In fact, there will come a point where his reputation as a basket-scorer will make opponents rethink their chances of scoring in the crease. However, because Sarr is flexible enough to defend smaller players in space, staying on the perimeter isn’t exactly a solution.

All of the criticism Sarr has received since Summer League hasn’t been about his defense. There’s a reason for that. However, his defensive baseline has always been higher than his offensive baseline. That’s why all of the talk about his difficulty scoring is such a big issue.

Still, as Keefe notes, Sarr has the chance to become a three-level scorer. To do that, the Frenchman needs to work on his touch, strength and footwork. As he refines those skills, he should be moved to a hybrid role that allows him to play to his natural strengths in the pick-and-roll, whether he’s popping or rolling.

Was ready to say how #Sarr sets PNR for his teammates, but was not fed when he rolled – until it finally happened just before the end of the half #Wizard #NBA2KSummerLeague – pic.twitter.com/9KndxQQaF9

— Dimitris Ioannou (@gavrojim007) July 18, 2024

During Summer League, Sarr was too often on the extreme ends of the spectrum, either bombarding the basket with three-point attempts or trying to take matters into his own hands and score off the dribble.

While he has the potential to score consistently in these situations, he’s just not there yet. The fact is, when a player like Sarr averaged just under 10 points per game the season before he was signed, expectations should be tempered, but for some reason they weren’t.

Now, in his rookie season, he must try to shake off the reputation of being a failure that comes from not excelling in areas where he never excelled.

However, with his character and love for the game, Sarr should do just fine. These traits often allow players to overcome adversity and have a trustworthy work ethic. While natural talent is always welcome, hard work is the ultimate secret to success.

The playmaker piece

The ball will be in Sarr’s hands whether he scores a goal or not.

Thanks to his passing skills, the updated big man can help open up the offense. Bilal Coulibaly and Kyshawn George have shown their ability to play off-ball, as cutters, or in catch-and-shoot situations. Corey Kispert and Malcolm Brogdon are two of the NBA’s better spot-up shooters. Because of this, they can all play against Sarr.

Sarr intercepts the bad pass and finds Bub for three pic.twitter.com/01XMuvXBTa

— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) July 18, 2024

So as the Wizards continue to develop Sarr’s game, they shouldn’t just focus on the best ways to pass the ball to him. To become a playoff contender, his ability to pass the ball to his teammates could be just as important. He doesn’t have to become the next Nikola Jokic. Still, like a Domantas Sabonis or Alperen Sengun, he will make their team more dynamic if he becomes an offensive fulcrum.