Sarr making the most of his opportunity in OKC

We’ve reached the point in the NBA season where teams are making their final pushes to the playoffs. For those out of the running, though, those teams have likewise started their race to the bottom for solid draft positions. In Oklahoma City, the Thunder are well outside the playoff picture at 23-55. With four games to go, they’ve already shut down eight players for the season including their top-four scorers. Plenty of opportunity has opened up in their lineup and former Wildcat Olivier Sarr has been a big beneficiary.

Sarr went undrafted after one year at Kentucky last season. The Memphis Grizzlies then picked him up for the 2021 NBA Summer League. After that, he started his professional career with Oklahoma City’s G-League Team where he’s averaged 8.7 points and 7.2 rebounds.

The Thunder called him up to their roster for a pair of 10-Day Contracts earlier this season from late December to early January. As the season winded down, the Thunder signed Sarr to a two-way deal in late February. He has seen increased playing time over the last month with the Thunder focusing on tanking. He has made the most of his chance in almost 20 minutes a night to end the season.

Overall, Sarr has averaged 7.3 points and four rebounds on 52.8% shooting from the field in 19 games for OKC. The highlight was a career game on Sunday against the Suns where he scored 24 points and grabbed six rebounds off the bench. He shot a blistering 9-12 from the field and 5-6 from three in the Thunder’s 21-point win over Phoenix.

closing out the 3rd 💥@aleksejpokusevs | @sarr_olivier pic.twitter.com/vxXVoGCvyw

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 4, 2022

Afterwards, he gave credit to all the new Thunder players who got him such clean looks. “I mean my teammates found me. I was open, I don’t think I forced any shots, and they went in today,” said Sarr.

End of season stretches are key for players like Sarr who are generally playing for their NBA lives. Although he’s played well, he still sees every chance he gets on the floor as an audition. “I mean every night is a job interview for me. It’s just being ready every time, whether it’s on defense, offense, being a great teammate, whatever it is. It’s really a job interview for guys like me in this position and I’m trying to take the most out of it,” said Sarr.

Four games are left on the Thunder’s schedule and Sarr will look to make every one of his minutes to end the season. Following his breakout game, he’ll look to keep it rolling on Tuesday when the Thunder face the Trailblazers.

For more updates on former Wildcats in the league, check out KSR’s ‘Cats in the NBA tab.