> At a Glance
> – Olivier Sarr, older brother of Wizards rookie Alex Sarr, went undrafted in 2021
> – After multiple two-way deals, he won the 2024 G League title with OKC Blue
> – A week after the championship, he ruptured his Achilles and lost his grandfather
> – Why it matters: His journey shows how perseverance can keep NBA dreams alive
Olivier Sarr’s path to professional basketball looks nothing like his younger brother Alex’s smooth ride to the 2024 NBA lottery. Six years apart, the French brothers share a last name, a love for the game-and very different draft-night memories.
From Wake Forest to Undrafted
Olivier left France at 18, landing at Wake Forest before transferring to Kentucky for the 2020-21 season. He declared for the 2021 draft after graduation, but 60 names were called and his wasn’t one of them.
> “After years of hard work and dedication, I will be graduating and pursuing my professional career by declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft,” Sarr announced via Kentucky Athletics.
Summer League with Memphis turned into:
- Two-way contract with Portland (2022-23)
- Two-way deal with Oklahoma City (2023-24)
- Exhibit 10 with Toronto after the injury (2024)
Championship High, Personal Low
On April 15, 2024, Sarr and the OKC Blue captured the G League crown. Hours later his phone buzzed with two gut-punches: a torn left Achilles and news that his grandfather had died.
> “Life’s unfair at times but I believe everything happens for a reason,” he posted. “Won the Gleague finals, ruptured my Achilles and finally lose a soldier: my grandfather.”
Rehab started immediately. When Alex asked what was motivating him, Olivier shot back: “Come back and bust your a– in the league.”
Big-Brother Influence
Alex credits Olivier for every basketball lesson he ever got. Draft night, the usually stoic 19-year-old choked up on ESPN:
> “Everything I’ve learned is through him and he gave me all his knowledge. It’s really special to have someone like him in my corner.”
They still trade post-game notes daily. Olivier was front-row in Brooklyn when Washington called Alex’s name, a full-circle moment for a family that once watched Wake Forest games from a couch in Bordeaux.
| Key Dates | Olivier | Alex |
|---|---|---|
| Born | Feb 20, 1999 | Apr 26, 2005 |
| Draft Year | 2021 (undrafted) | 2024 (No. 2 pick) |
| Current Team | Raptors 905 | Washington Wizards |
Key Takeaways
- Olivier’s undrafted story fuels his relentless work ethic
- The brothers push each other daily despite 6,000-mile separation
- Achilles rehab is the latest obstacle in a career built on overcoming them
- Family ties to Senegal and France keep them grounded
As Olivier fights back from injury, the Sarr brothers prove basketball journeys rarely follow the same playbook-yet both can still end on an NBA floor.
