Photo: FIBA.basketball

Alex Sarr’s season as a Next Star in Perth was a massive success, with the Frenchman being the second pick in this year’s draft, but could the Wildcats’ replacement for him, Izan Almansa, have a greater impact in the NBL?

According to 1990 NBL MVP Derek Rucker, Almansa might be ready to make an immediate boom in Perth, even if he doesn’t reach the spectacular NBA heights of Sarr.

“I was speaking to a couple of NBA executives, and they feel that upon arrival in Perth, that Almansa will be better positioned to have an impact than Alex Sarr was at the same time,” Rucker said on The Marketplace.

“Now they’re not saying his ceiling is as high as Sarr’s, but this might suit the Wildcats better from a playing perspective and impact spot.”

Almansa is the latest NBA prospect to become a Next Star, an imposing 6’10 forward/centre who hails from Murcia, Spain.

FIBA’s own website has suggested Almansa might be the greatest youth player in international basketball history, with his accolades already including the MVP of the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup, 2022 FIBA U18 European Championships and 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup.

Rucker believes with a ready to go Almansa backing up established NBL star Keanu Pinder, the Wildcats have a strong base to springboard from this season.

“If Amansa is a little bit more seasoned and can provide 10-20 minutes of really good basketball per game, then this roster is really good,” Rucker said.

“I thought there were times last year where Sarr’s inexperience kind of showed, and that’s to be expected when he was only 18-years-old, but with Almansa, a little bit more seasoned, this might really suit the Wildcats very well.”

Perth’s season tips-off on September 20 against the South East Melbourne Phoenix at RAC Arena as part of HoopsFest.