France will be without Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr for the remainder of EuroBasket 2025 after he suffered a right calf injury during Saturday’s win over Slovenia, the French Basketball Federation announced Tuesday.
The statement, translated from French, said Sarr’s “healing time is incompatible with (his) participation for the rest of the competition.” He sat out Sunday’s loss to Israel and will also miss upcoming group-stage games against Poland and Iceland, as well as any knockout-round matchups if France advances.
Impact of Alex Sarr’s Injury on France
France was already without Rudy Gobert, Victor Wembanyama, and Mathias Lessort, leaving the national team thin in the frontcourt. Sarr’s absence adds to the pressure on veteran Guerschon Yabusele and rookie Zaccharie Risacher to handle scoring and rebounding responsibilities.
Despite the setbacks, France is 2–1 in group play and can secure a spot in the round of 16 with a win in either of its final two games. Losing another NBA big man, however, raises serious questions about the team’s depth and ability to advance deep into the tournament.
Washington Wizards’ Outlook
For the Wizards, the news is less dire. According to The Athletic, the injury won’t require surgery and the timetable is measured in weeks rather than months. Training camp begins in roughly four weeks, with the regular season opener still more than seven weeks away, giving Sarr time to recover.
Sarr, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, earned All-Rookie First Team honors last season after averaging 13.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.5 blocks in 27.1 minutes per game. Efficiency remains a focal point for his development after shooting 39.4% from the field and 67.9% from the free-throw line as a rookie.
While France must move forward shorthanded, the Washington Wizards see this as a manageable setback. The priority will be ensuring Alex Sarr avoids aggravation, and caution is critical given the risk that calf injuries can lead to further complications if rushed.