Alex Sarr on landing with Wizards: 'The universe heard me'

For all the talk of what would happen if the Hawks picked him, Alex Sarr ultimately landed in Washington , which is exactly what he wanted.

The French big man was selected No. 2 overall in the NBA Draft on Wednesday, getting taken by the Wizards. Atlanta had picked another teenage Frenchman, Zaccharie Risacher, with the top selection.

Sarr conceivably could have been the top pick, but he never worked out for the Hawks and there were reports that he didn’t want to play for Atlanta. Sarr didn’t directly confirm those rumors, but seemed to hint that his agency thought the Wizards – where he’ll likely have a more featured role right away than if he went to the Hawks – were a better landing spot.

Appearing on The Sports Junkies as a member of the Wizards, Sarr seemed content with his decision.

“Yeah, I didn’t work out for Atlanta,” the 19-year-old said. “I worked out only for the Wizards. It worked out in my favor, and I’m really happy it turned out that way.”

The Hawks were a surprise winner at the lottery after finishing 10th in the Eastern Conference and having just a three percent chance of getting the top pick. The Wizards, however, were bad wire-to-wire last season, and for months looked ticketed for a high pick.

As their season was unfolding, Sarr had his eye on Washington.

“The Wizards, for the whole year last season, was a team I was looking at and hoping I ended there, and now I’m on the Wizards,” Sarr said. “So, I think the universe heard me.”

Sarr spent last season with the Perth Wildcats of the NBL in Australia, where he averaged 9.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game last season across 30 contests.