Next Star Alex Sarr is rising up the NBA Draft ranks again, this time rated the number one overall prospect by ESPN.

The 18-year-old has become more and more consistent as the year’s gone on at the Wildcats, with his improvement coinciding with Perth’s run of wins.

“He (Sarr) plays a compact, efficient role as a cutter, roller and offensive rebounder, with plenty of freedom to demonstrate his versatile skill set pushing off the defensive glass and facilitating as a passer, making perimeter shots in a variety of ways, and showing his excellent footwork and soft touch as a finisher,” NBA draft expert Jonathon Givony explained. 

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Sarr has averaged 9.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks from a little under 18 minutes’ court-time across NBL24. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Alex Sarr, our new projected No. 1 pick, plays a compact, efficient role for Perth, with plenty of freedom to demonstrate his versatile skill set pushing off the glass, as a facilitator, making shots dynamically, and showing excellent footwork and touch as a finisher. <a href="https://t.co/BsHtCB7GCT">pic.twitter.com/BsHtCB7GCT</a></p>&mdash; Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) <a href="https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1742193869486170246?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A 24-point haul last week from the Taipans’ Bobi Klintman no doubt had scouts circling, and his ranking has stayed consistent, currently plotted at No. 21 by the ESPN team.

Named as the 30th best prospect by The Athletic just last month, versatile Kings big man Alex Toohey has moved from 83 to 48 in the latest ESPN mock.

Toohey was almost invisible on NBA Draft boards before the season, but has shown he can very much cut it at professional level, averaging 9.3 points and 4.2 rebounds, as well as being a regular starter in Sydney.

Lithuanian 21-year-old Mantas Rubstavicius is the other big riser from the Next Stars crop, moving from 71 to 55 in the latest rankings, after an impressive month with the New Zealand Breakers.

Ariel Hukporti, AJ Johnson and Trentyn Flowers are also looming front and centre for NBA scouts, ranked at 53, 59 and 62 respectively.