Experienced Sarr Adds to UK Front Court
Looking at Kentucky’s 2020-21 roster over the summer, the Cats appeared to have nearly everything they needed to make a run at the Final Four. UK had plenty of potential at the point, on the wing and up front. But they were lacking a true, experienced post presence.
Then, on Oct. 21, Kentucky and head coach John Calipari got some very good news. After a long wait, Olivier Sarr, who transferred from Wake Forest over the summer, was ruled eligible to play for the Cats this season. And with that, the Cats suddenly had their experienced post presence.
Sarr, a 7-0 forward from Bordeaux, France, played three seasons at Wake. Last season, he was named to the All-ACC Third Team after averaging 13.7 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Sarr scored in double figures 23 times and had 11 double-doubles in 30 games.
Calipari knows that Sarr being eligible this season improved the Cats immediately, especially the freshmen post players.
“We’re better. I had to remind my team yesterday that because they’re doing a good job of competing against him,” Calipari said. “Isaiah (Jackson) and Lance (Ware), I mean, these guys, they’re not just giving way now. So, I said, ‘Understand his last two ACC games he had 55 points and 20 rebounds.’ And I said, ‘When you’re competing against him, I’m not sure another guy in our gym could have had 55 and 20. So, you’re competing against a really good player, which tells me we’ve got some good guys.’ “
Sarr made a late decision to transfer to UK after weighing his options.
“It was a tough process. It was a tough decision, obviously,” Sarr said. “I was thinking about going professional and then I talked with Coach (Danny) Manning and changed my mind. I thought about staying one more year at Wake Forest to have a great season. (Then) Coach got fired pretty late, so it changed my plans and then the Kentucky opportunity came up. It’s something that I couldn’t refuse.”
Sarr was then forced to wait for the NCAA and the SEC to declare him eligible. But he had the full support of his new teammates and staff.
“I had to make that decision and then to wait with my waiver and all of that it was tough even though Coach Cal helped me a lot, supported me,” Sarr said. “I mean, everybody in the organization here helped me a lot. They told me to stay positive at all times, and I did it. But, honestly, sometimes it was tough. But it paid (off). Now it’s good. Now it’s official and I’m part of the team and I’m just really happy to be here.”
When the day finally came and Sarr was ruled eligible, Calipari was excited to share the good news with Sarr. The two shared smiles and a sense of relief that the process was finally over.
As for being a difference maker for this year’s UK squad, Sarr is just focused on doing his job for the team.
“I mean, honestly, it was something that I hear about, but as long as the season didn’t start all I can do is to focus on my work, focus on helping the team as much as possible as I can at practice, getting the guys ready to face whoever we’re going to face every night, be ready for battle, share my experience, and make the team better as a whole,” Sarr said. “Then we will see the impact at the end of the season.”
Sarr will join sophomore Keion Brooks Jr. and freshmen Isaiah Jackson, Lance Ware and Cam’Ron Fletcher in the frontcourt. The addition of Sarr gives that group an experienced, added dimension that should prove beneficial for the Cats all season.
