Top international basketball prospect Dame Sarr has committed to Duke, calling it his “dream school.” He aims to prepare for the NBA by gaining experience at Duke after a successful stint with Barcelona, where he debuted as a 16-year-old. Sarr excelled at the Nike Hoop Summit, drawing NBA scouts’ attention with 17 points against elite players. Despite facing criticism from Barcelona for attending the event, he affirmed his gratitude for the club. At Duke, he anticipates contributing alongside a talented roster, helping fill the void left by departing players while bringing his versatility on both ends of the court.
Top international basketball talent Dame Sarr has committed to Duke, he revealed to ESPN on Thursday.
“Duke has always been my dream school,” Sarr stated. “I followed a lot of NCAA games this past season, especially those featuring Duke. I played with Jabari Parker this year, who is a Duke alum. When I had the chance to join, I had to seize it.”
“My ultimate aspiration is to play in the NBA,” Sarr added. “There’s no better place than Duke to prepare for that. To be as ready as I can be for the NBA and to develop into the best version of myself, I needed the experiences of both playing for a professional team like Barcelona and a unique college atmosphere like Duke, competing against players my age. The right mix of opportunity, playing time, and repetition makes this path the best next step for me right now.”
The 6-foot-8 forward hails from Italy and debuted in the Spanish ACB league for Barcelona as a 16-year-old in 2023, ranking as the second-youngest player to achieve this milestone. This season, he has become a key player in both Euroleague and ACB. He also represented Italy’s senior national team for the first time last November, after previously making a mark at the FIBA U16 and U18 Eurobasket tournaments.
“I’m truly thankful for this season,” Sarr explained. “I’ve developed significantly as both a player and an individual. My teammates and the coaching staff have been incredible, and it’s because of their support that I had this opportunity. They played a crucial role in my progress, and I’m grateful for them.”
Sarr made a notable impression on NBA scouts last month at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon, scoring 17 points and grabbing 4 rebounds in 25 minutes against a talented group of US high school players, including A.J. Dybantsa and future Duke teammates Cameron and Cayden Boozer.
However, his decision to participate in the event drew criticism, as Barcelona issued a statement expressing disapproval over his departure from the team without prior permission. Initially, the club had positively received Sarr’s invitation to the Hoop Summit, but they later withdrew this support as he emerged as a vital part of the team’s lineup. His amateur contract with Barcelona is set to expire next month.
“We had previously agreed that I could attend the Hoop Summit,” Sarr noted. “I didn’t think it was right to back out after receiving the invite with their consent. My teammates supported my choice, and this is already behind us. We ended things on good terms, and I still have love for Barcelona.”
Sarr is expected to take on a significant role on the wing next season at Duke, alongside rising sophomore Isaiah Evans. Washington State transfer Cedric Coward had been slated for this role after committing to Duke last month, but he may remain in the NBA draft as the May 28 deadline approaches.
Sarr aims to bring versatility on both ends of the court to support a young lineup featuring a trio of incoming McDonald’s All Americans, namely the Boozer brothers and forward Nikolas Khamenia, alongside returning players Evans, Caleb Foster, Patrick Ngongba, Malique Lewis, and Darren Harris.
“Duke is losing Kon Knueppel and Tyrese Proctor, who play a style similar to mine,” Sarr remarked. “My competitive nature and ability to collaborate with other talented players while creating scoring opportunities for myself and others will be beneficial, along with my versatility on offense and defense. It’s a talented group, and we need the right pieces to fit together smoothly.”
Sarr recently completed an official visit to Duke and plans to enroll at the university once he secures his visa next month.
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA, and international teams.