Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Marcus Smart Reveals Key To Unlocking Wizards Rookie's Potential

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Gerard Angelo Samillano | Last updated Apr 15, 2025 11:58 PM ET

There's a lot to dissect with Alex Sarr's rookie season. He started his NBA career on the wrong foot after a dismal showing in his first Summer League showing. Thankfully, the Washington Wizards rookie was able to shake off that performance and had himself a solid rookie season, albeit with some areas of improvement.

Sarr's veterans believe that the Wizards rookie has a level or two more in him in the coming seasons. Marcus Smart, a former Defensive Player of the Year, shared his discussions with Sarr during the season. Smart said that once Sarr improves his consistency, he'll be one of the best defenders in the league.

"Once he fully embraces [...] how special he can be, and when he puts his mind to it, he can be a great defender," Smart said, per Bijan Todd.
"That's what we're working on, getting that consistency."

Smart was traded from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Washington Wizards in the middle of the 2024-25 season. Already, Smart has taken on a mentorship role for not only Sarr, but the rest of the Wizards' young core. His no-nonsense, hard-nosed play has already rubbed off on other players, and his leadership has been valuable for the team.

It definitely helps that Smart is still a solid contributor to the team while he's healthy. He's shooting 39.2% from deep in his 15 games played for the Wizards, most of which he came off the bench for. He's also added 1.1 steals per game and 2.5 assists, despite the limited minutes.

As for Sarr, there's a good reason why Smart thinks highly of the Wizards rookie's defense. Standing a quarter of an inch short of seven feet with a 7'4 wingspan, Sarr has the build of an imposing shot-blocker. His strength (or lack thereof) limits his impact on that end, but Sarr still recorded 1.5 blocks per game. His impact in the paint has also been felt, as players are shooting -2.7% worse within six feet of the rim.

Whether he stays on the team as a respected veteran or gets traded for more picks, Smart has definitely left an impact on the Wizards.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: