In recent months, the name Dame Sarr has risen in international basketball circles as the Italian-Senegalese wing committed to Duke Blue Devils and prepared for the next phase of his journey. At the same time, Alex Sarr—the 7-foot French big man selected second overall in the 2024 NBA Draft—has become a household name in the United States. The coincidence of their surname has led many fans to ask: are they related?
The answer: no. Available evidence establishes that Dame Sarr and Alex Sarr are not blood relatives.
Background on Alex Sarr
Alex Sarr, born April 26, 2005 in Bordeaux, France, is a French national who entered the NBA via the Washington Wizards as the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft. He comes from a basketball family. His father, Massar Sarr, is a former professional player from Senegal, and his older brother, Olivier Sarr, also played in the NBA.
Background on Dame Sarr
Dame Sarr (full name Elhadji Dame Sarr), born June 4, 2006 in Oderzo, Italy, is an Italian-Senegalese wing who developed in the youth ranks of Orange1 Basket Bassano and later joined FC Barcelona’s system before committing to Duke in May 2025. He is viewed as a high-upside 2026 NBA prospect.
Where the confusion comes from
The shared surname “Sarr” — which is common among families of West African heritage — appears to be the main reason for the speculation. On several forums and draft discussion threads, fans explicitly asked if Dame Sarr was related to Alex or Olivier. One Reddit commenter wrote:
“Is he related to Alex Sarr? genuinely curious … there’s Alex Sarr and his brother Olivier Sarr, those are the only two Sarr’s.”
Another noted that Dame “was born and raised in Italy and is unrelated to Olivier and Alex.”
According to a straightforward report:
“Dame is not related to Alex in any way, with their last name the only thing that connects them. Alex is French, while Dame is an Italian-Senegalese…”
Why this matters
For American audiences following the international basketball pipeline into the NBA, clarity on talent and lineage matters. When scouting and analyzing prospects like Dame Sarr, understanding his individual background—not assuming a family relation to an already-famous NBA player—gives more accurate context about his unique journey. At the same time, Alex Sarr’s family story is well established and separate.
Conclusion
Although Dame Sarr and Alex Sarr share a surname — and both have Senegalese heritage — there is no familial link reported between them in any credible source. The “hook” is simply a surname coincidence, not a shared family tree. For American fans tracking the global basketball talent pipeline, it’s a useful reminder to distinguish emerging prospects on their own terms.
FAQs:
Q 1: Are Dame Sarr and Alex Sarr brothers or cousins?
A 1: No — reported sources indicate they are not related by blood.
Q 2: What is Alex Sarr’s family background?
A 2: Alex’s father is Massar Sarr (former professional from Senegal) and his older brother is Olivier Sarr, who played in the NBA.
Q 3: What is Dame Sarr’s background and nationality?
A 3: Dame Sarr was born June 4, 2006 in Oderzo, Italy. He holds Italian-Senegalese heritage and developed in Italian and Spanish youth systems before committing to Duke.
Q 4: Could they have a distant familial link despite no reported relation?
A 4: While anything can’t be categorically ruled out, no credible sources mention any family connection between the two; most commentary treats the similarity as a coincidence.
Q 5: Why do people assume they’re related?
A 5: Because both share the last name “Sarr”, which is common among families of West African (particularly Senegalese) descent, and because both are high-profile young basketball players, raising curiosity.
Q 6: Does this surname coincidence affect their scouting profiles?
A 6: It can create confusion among fans, but in terms of scouting and player evaluation, each is treated independently—Alex as a French big man in the NBA, Dame as an Italian wing prospect.
Q 7: Which one is eligible for the NBA draft and when?
A 7: Alex Sarr was drafted in 2024 (No. 2 overall). Dame Sarr remains a prospect for 2026 (or later) depending on his college and/or professional path.
