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Sarr, who is set to earn around US$9.3 million in his first season, paid an emotional tribute to his brother Olivier Sarr who plays with the Oklahoma City Thunder and went undrafted in his draft year.

“Everything I’ve learned is through him and to this day it is really special to have someone like him in my corner,” Alex Sarr told broadcaster ESPN.

“I went to his draft and know what it feels like to go undrafted, for me to be a top pick now is really special.”

Illawarra Hawks Next Star AJ Johnson was one of the surprise picks of the first round when the Milwaukee Bucks selected him with pick 23.

Johnson, a US national, struggled for minutes early in the season due to his lack of strength but he showed his athleticism and passing skills as the season went on and he made big strides off the court in his first year as a professional player.

The Atlanta Hawks selected France’s Zaccharie Risacher with the first pick.

NBL Next Stars Bobi Klintman (Cairns Taipans) and Ariel Hukporti (Melbourne United) remain in the draft pool and hope to be selected in the second round.

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Fans at the draft in Brooklyn, New York booed loudly when NBA commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged recent NBA champions Boston Celtics who are division rivals for both the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets.

This year’s NBA Draft has been extended to a two-night event with the first round – first 30 picks – on Thursday and the second round – the next 30 – on Friday at 6am AEST.

More to come

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