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Dame Sarr, a potential NBA Draft 19-year-old prospect playing professionally for FC Barcelona, has become a topic of conversation not only for his high-level play contributing to Barca’s rotation, but also for a recent headline-making decision. Without the approval of Barça, the 6-foot-6 European prospect traveled to the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit causing a media stir and leading to a public statement from the club. Barça stated they have the right to defend their interests “by any means” in the press release.
In an exclusive HoopsHype interview at the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit, Dame Sarr talked about the tension with Barça, his NBA influences like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Kevin Durant, his admiration for legends like Michael Jordan, and more.
Dame Sarr: I think it’s been very, very fun. I think we competed very well between each other. We had a scrimmage yesterday and it was also good. So now we are ready to play on Saturday for sure.
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DS: I think that helped me a lot, a lot. So I’m very happy that I had this opportunity and for sure it’s going to help me in my career.
DS: Well, I don’t like to talk about that a lot, but the truth is that it’s an opportunity that I wanted to take advantage of.
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DS: Well, for me it’s very sad because I’m from Barça and I always support them. Now that I’m here I’m also supporting them. So, I know that in the end they love me as I love them. And the noise that is outside is normal, but I focus more on us and that’s important.
DS: I really like SGA. I like how he plays and I’m trying to for sure to emulate his game.
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DS: Yeah, I mean in my team I have many ex-NBA players. So, they give me a lot of advice and I love to listen to them and just to listen to them for sure.
DS: I think I have a lot of things to improve on. Probably my shooting and maybe the feel for the game. Just to be an excellent reader of the game. Just to know when to do certain stuff. And just to be an elite shooter also.
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DS: Yeah, I think I still have room to improve and I will keep improving for sure. But I think I’m on a good way. I really love to play with my teammates and I love to share the ball. So, I think I’m going to be fine.
DS: So, I really like the Golden State Warriors and Kevin Durant was my first player.
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DS: My GOAT, Michael Jordan. I just think he’s the greatest basketball player ever.
DS: So, I’m going to put Steph Curry at the 1, I’m going to put Jordan at the 2, LeBron at the 3, KD at the 4 and Wilt Chamberlain at the 5.
DS: [Vassilis]
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