NBA DRAFT

June 26, 2024

Alex Sarr

Q. Congratulations.

ALEX SARR: Thank you.

Q. Now that it's real, talking about it for a few days, but what statement does the No. 1 and the 2 pick and then the one from last year make for France?

ALEX SARR: It just shows the amount of talent that we have in France. I'm really excited for Zacc. I think our national team is really going to be good.

Q. And what were your immediate emotions when you found out?

ALEX SARR: I was really happy for him. I kind of had a feeling. I was really happy for him.

Q. And you?

ALEX SARR: And me, I was really happy for me, too.

Q. How do you plan to celebrate or enjoy this chapter before joining your new team?

ALEX SARR: I have some family and friends in town, so I'll definitely spend some time with them later today.

Q. I understand you grew up in French wine country, Bordeaux. Red wine has health benefits. Curious if there is a brand that your family enjoys, anything you can pass on to us, a tip for a good red wine that's reasonably priced?

ALEX SARR: I can't really tell you much about that, but maybe if you go there and ask people, they will tell you.

Q. How special has it been to be selected the second overall pick for the Washington Wizards in front of your family and friends, and what can you bring to this organization of the Washington Wizards?

ALEX SARR: Yeah, I think it's really special. Any pick that you get picked, you know the team is taking a chance on me and I'm really blessed for that and I won't take it for granted.

Doing it in front of my family and them be able to come to New York, it just means a lot.

I will just play with effort and impact winning.

Q. What are you most excited about with going to Washington, D.C.?

ALEX SARR: I'm just excited to join this team. It's a team that I watched a lot this past year. I think I can be really impactful on that team, and I can't wait to add my game to the roster.

Q. Obviously your brother is in the NBA and you've talked about your dad who is an ex-pro, having a lot of influence on you and falling in love with basketball originally. How does having basketball in your DNA as a family helped you get to this point?

ALEX SARR: Yeah, it helped a lot. My dad, he always loved basketball and he looked at basketball -- he never was happy after one of my games. He always had something to say for me to improve on it. I think that's what made me and my brother good players. I can't thank them enough for this.

Q. You've had your own path, making different stops, trying to learn from different places. Do you feel like the end of a journey, or is it just a step?

ALEX SARR: I mean, I think it's just a first step, but it's definitely achieving something that was big for me. You know, being drafted, I don't take it for granted and I'm sure enjoying it a lot.