Dame Sarr Recalls First Memories of Duke Basketball: “That’s When I Really Started to Know About This Program”

Dame Sarr Recalls First Memories of Duke Basketball: “That’s When I Really Started to Know About This Program”

As Duke continues to cement its position as a global powerhouse in college basketball, the program has welcomed another international talent into its storied lineage: Dame Sarr, a rising guard from Italy by way of FC Barcelona Lassa B. Sarr, who will join the Blue Devils for the 2025–26 season, brings not only European polish to Durham but also a deep-rooted appreciation for Duke that began long before his recruitment ever started.

Discovering Duke from Across the Globe

Like many international fans, Sarr’s introduction to Duke basketball came through the high-flying spectacle of the 2018–2019 team. Watching from Italy, he was captivated by the explosive trio of Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, and Cam Reddish, a group that took college basketball and social media by storm.

“I remember being in Italy, that was right before COVID, I think, when Zion, RJ Barrett, and Cam Reddish were here,” Sarr recalled. “That’s when I really started to know about this program.”

That season, which culminated in an Elite Eight appearance and countless highlight reels, left a lasting impression on Sarr. But it was the arrival of Paolo Banchero the 2022 No. 1 NBA Draft pick with Italian heritage that further deepened his connection to the Duke brand.

“Then Paolo having Italian roots, that’s only when I really started to look up to Duke. Since then, I’ve been following them a lot.”

A Rising International Prospect

Sarr arrives at Duke as one of the more intriguing international additions in recent memory. Though ranked No. 150 overall in the On3 Industry Ranking for the 2025 cycle, On3’s internal evaluation had him as a borderline five-star prospect, placing him at No. 17 nationally—testament to his upside and the challenge of properly assessing overseas talent.

Kansas and Illinois were also strong contenders for his commitment. Illinois, under Brad Underwood, has become a destination for European players, while Kansas remains one of the sport’s premier brands. Yet, in the end, it was the culture of Duke that won Sarr over.

“The Brotherhood, it’s a big family,” Sarr said. “Everybody wants everybody to succeed in basketball, outside of basketball. I talk to a lot of people and everybody had only good words about this program. I felt very good about it.”

A Key Addition to Duke’s Star-Studded 2025 Class

Sarr joins what is widely considered the top recruiting class in the nation. Headlining that class is Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 overall recruit and a Five-Star Plus+ prospect, along with his twin brother Cayden Boozer, in what has been called Duke’s biggest recruiting win of the cycle.

Other notable freshmen joining Sarr in Durham include Nikolas Khamenia, Sebastian Wilkins, and Patrick Ngongba II, forming a deep, versatile, and high-upside group. Under Jon Scheyer, Duke’s recruiting reach has extended further than ever, bringing in talent from all over the world to carry on the program’s winning tradition.

The Next Chapter

For Sarr, joining Duke isn’t just the next step in his basketball journey—it’s a dream realized, born from watching legends like Zion and Banchero blaze their paths through Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Now, with his own number soon to hang in a Duke locker, Dame Sarr is ready to write his own story—one rooted in international admiration, forged in hard work, and shaped by the brotherhood he’s long admired from afar.