Former Illini Target Dame Sarr Projected as 2026 NBA Lottery Pick by ESPN

Duke commit Dame Sarr, who once had been expected to land with Illinois, is tabbed as the No. 9 pick in ESPN's 2026 mock draft

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood watches the action Friday, March 14, 2025, in a quarterfinals game at the 2025 TIAA Big Ten Tournament between the Maryland Terrapins and the Illinois Fighting Illini at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. | Grace Smith/IndyStar/USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It has been nearly five months since then-little-known international prospect Dame Sarr was tabbed by On3 Sports’ recruiting expert Joe Tipton to land at Illinois.

In the following weeks, and even months, the expectation was that Sarr would wind up in Champaign, following in the path paved by Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis – who also suited up for FC Barcelona prior to making the trek overseas for college basketball in the States.

But after prized transfer wing Andrej Stojakovic (Cal) came aboard, the Illini backed off their pursuit of Sarr and the 6-foot-8 wing ultimately found his new home with the ACC’s premier program: Duke.

Five-star guard Dame Sarr has committed to Duke 🔥

Sarr is from Italy and played for FC Barcelona this past season. He is a projected first-round pick in 2026. pic.twitter.com/xEMbI5aXlV

— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) May 22, 2025

And throughout that whirlwind of a process, one thing stayed constant for Sarr: his ability to perform. Between showings with FC Barcelona and a standout performance at the Nike Hoops Summit, Sarr continued to climb up the rankings, reaching the 17th overall spot in On3’s class of 2025 rankings. (He remains unranked by 247Sports.)

Sarr’s play not only caught the eye of the college basketball world but also those at the next level. In ESPN’s 2026 NBA mock draft, Sarr was projected to go ninth overall by draft experts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo.

Givony detailed Sarr’s strengths as a “versatile defender who has shown intriguing flashes as a perimeter shooter, passer and shot creator,” although Givony also mentioned that much of Sarr’s game is still developing – especially his decision-making.

Although it’s clear Sarr's upside and potential are nearly boundless, it remains to be seen whether the more experienced Stojakovic – who was pegged 45th in the 2026 draft by ESPN – was the right choice for the Illini.

More From Illinois on Sports Illustrated:

A Look at Each Illinois NBA Draft Pick Since the Turn of the Century

Previewing Kasparas Jakucionis' Rookie Season With Miami Heat: Will He Start?

Cooper Flagg, Kasparas Jakucionis Stack Up Favorably in Lone College Seasons