Dame Sarr recalls first memories of Duke basketball program

College basketball programs from across the country are signing international prospects and Duke feels like it has one of the best. Italian Dame Sarr will join the Blue Devils beginning next season, traveling across the Atlantic after playing for FC Barcelona Lassa B.

Duke, as a whole, is a worldwide brand due to its constant success. But recent stars have taken things to the next level, with Sarr providing the latest example. He really began to learn about the Blue Devils due to the 2018-2019 season before becoming a big fan of Paolo Banchero.

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

The trio of Barrett, Reddish, and Williamson was the hottest story in sports at the time. Having a regular season full of exciting moments, plus an Elite Eight run, that specific team is paying off on the recruiting trail seven years later.

Sarr was the No. 150 overall recruit in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. On3 had him as a borderline five-star prospect, ranking him just outside the top 14 and No. 17 overall.

Kansas and Illinois were viewed as the two other programs going after the Italian. Brad Underwood has developed a reputation for landing European players, while Kansas is right up there with Duke when it comes to notoriety in college basketball.

What stood out to Sarr was the culture surrounding Duke, even past college playing days. He feels great about his decision to play under Jon Scheyer, hoping to continue his development in a big way.

“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.”

Sarr is set to be a part of a talented freshman class that Scheyer has brought in. Five freshmen are expected to feature for Duke during the 2025-2026 season, headlined by Five-Star Plus+ and No. 3 overall prospect Cameron Boozer. His twin brother, Cayden, will join him in the biggest recruiting win of the cycle.