Dame Sarr’s journey to becoming a Duke Blue Devil is the culmination of years of ambition, international experience, and unwavering dream-chasing. The Italian-Senegalese guard/forward, who stands at 6 ft 6 in, announced his commitment to Duke University on May 22, 2025, calling it his “dream school” and affirming, “There’s no better place to prepare you for [the NBA] than Duke.”
Before his commitment, Sarr weighed options at Illinois, Kansas, and Oregon, but felt most drawn to the vision laid out by Duke’s coaching staff. Conversations with head coach Jon Scheyer and assistant Emanuel Dildy cemented his belief that Duke offered a perfect environment to harness his potential and grow as a refined player.
Sarr arrives with serious credibility: he made his professional debut for FC Barcelona in January 2023, becoming the second-youngest player in club history. He later debuted in the EuroLeague in November of that year and had a breakout performance that included a 21‑point, 3‑assist game in March 2025.
His international profile is equally impressive. At the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Sarr delivered 17 points and 4 rebounds in just 25 minutes, showcasing his ability to rise to elite competition and even competing against future Duke teammates.
Sarr’s skill set is as versatile as his experiences. On The Brotherhood Podcast, he described himself as “very adaptable,” noting, “I can play for my teammates, create for myself and for my teammates,” and emphasizing his passion for defense and energy on the court. Further, he acknowledged drawing inspiration from players such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jayson Tatum, blending different influences to cultivate his own style.
Coach Jon Scheyer has been equally high on Sarr’s potential. In August 2025, he praised Sarr’s maturity and European-honed physicality, predicting that, with adaptation, Sarr “can be an elite defender” in college hoops.
Duke fans have welcomed Sarr, anticipating that he will become “a household name” in short order.
Sarr joins Duke as part of a top-tier recruiting class alongside talents like Cameron Boozer and Nikolas Khamenia, reinforcing the program’s championship aspirations.
From Barcelona’s rising star to Duke’s newest brother, Dame Sarr stands ready to embrace the bright lights of NCAA hoops—bringing versatility, defense, and relentless dedication to the storied Blue Devil legacy.
