The Italian is already enchanting in college basketball and is among the top picks of the next draft: “Here they give me the best possible resources to grow as a player, it’s an ideal situation”
A few weeks of NCAA basketball were enough to raise Dame Sarr’s already decidedly high shares among NBA scouts. The paradox is that even in games in which the blue from Duke struggles to shoot, as in the intriguing match against Kansas at Madison Square Garden (1/5 from long range), all the potential still emerges which makes him, at least according to specialized sites (from ESPN to Bleacher Report) a sure lottery pick in the next draft. An extraordinary maturity for a 19-year-old combined with athleticism, tactical intelligence and an approach to defense already at NBA level make him a prospect with enormous potential in a team, Duke, full of talent and which, after giving the NBA three players chosen in the top 10 called in the last draft, wants to repeat itself this year too. With Cameron Boozer competing for the first overall pick. “I feel very comfortable here at Duke – underlines the player born in Oderzo in the province of Treviso – I am very happy with my choice, in Barcelona naturally I had the opportunity to play together with high level basketball players, this helped me a lot. Now I am adapting well to college basketball and I try to improve every day. Here they give me the best possible resources to grow as a player, it is an ideal situation”.
Duke naturally plays for the title every year, do you feel a certain pressure in this context?
“Yes, the pressure is there but I’m happy about it. One of the reasons why I chose Duke is precisely this, I believe it is the best way to prepare for the NBA. Facing these expectations and managing the pressure becomes something fundamental for me, especially when thinking about what will happen upstairs.”
Speaking of “upper floor”, the so-called “mock drafts” give you a guaranteed Lottery Pick, what feelings do you have?
“Honestly, I’m not thinking about it right now. I’m focused on Duke and on my daily work, I know that I have to improve in many ways, including physically, and I’m only thinking about working. Then we’ll see what happens?”
But does it make you proud to see your name so high in terms of predictions for the next draft?
“Yes but above all it makes me want to work even harder knowing full well that I’m not yet close to where I can get to in the future, in terms of personal progress. I have great margins for improvement and at the moment I’m only thinking about that.”
On a defensive level you already seem ready for the NBA, what aspects do you think you need to improve the most?
“In the summer I worked a lot on my shooting and now I feel I have confidence in this aspect of the game. Sometimes I run into a little difficult evenings, like against Kansas at the Garden, but I continue to work hard and I know I can become an excellent shooter.”
To close, how do you feel about Cameron Boozer, the player who could become the first overall pick in the next draft?
“Very good, yes in my opinion he will be chosen first, he is an extraordinary player who not only has great talent, but also manages to help his teammates grow because he puts the good of the team first. I am very happy to be able to live this experience together with him.”
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