yahoo
With the 2026-27 college basketball season still weeks away, analysts and pundits have started releasing their preseason rankings of players, teams, and coaches. College basketball analyst Andy Katz recently joined the fray by unveiling his list of the top sophomores in the country.
Among those recognized was Duke's Dame Sarr, a returning guard who earned ACC All-Defensive honors as a freshman. Sarr checked in at No. 5 overall and was the second-highest ACC sophomore on Katz's list.
During his debut campaign, the Italian guard posted averages of 6.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.0 steal, and 0.4 blocks per game. Despite those modest numbers, Sarr has set lofty goals for his second year, expressing a desire to bring an NCAA championship back to Durham.
If Duke's first scrimmage is any indication, Sarr appears poised for a much larger role in head coach Jon Scheyer's system. In the exhibition against Belmont, Sarr started and delivered 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Only four sophomores were ranked ahead of Sarr: Braylon Mullins (UConn), David Mirkovic (Illinois), Trey Meckenney (Michigan), and Thijs De Ridder (Virginia).
Key Analysis
Sarr's ranking reflects the high expectations surrounding his development after a strong defensive freshman season. His performance in the scrimmage suggests he could emerge as a key contributor for the Blue Devils, who are aiming for a deep postseason run.
Originally reported by yahoo.