NBA Draft: French one-two as Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr picked first, follows Victor Wembanyama No. 1 pick in 2023
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Published 27/06/2024 at 09:15 GMT
Zaccharie Risacher says he is “not shocked” that three French players featured in the top 10 of the NBA Draft, after he was picked first by the Atlanta Hawks. Alex Sarr was chosen second by the Washington Wizards, while Tidjane Salaun was picked sixth by the Charlotte Hornets. A fourth French player, Pacome Didiet, was also signed in the first round by the New York Knicks.
Zaccherie Risacher was picked first in the NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks
Image credit: Getty Images
For the second year running, a French player was picked first in the NBA, with Zaccherie Risacher chosen by the Atlanta Hawks following Victor Wembanyama’s move to San Antonio Spurs in 2023.
French players made up three of the top 10, with Alex Sarr - brother of Oklahoma City Thunder centre Olivier - going to the Washington Wizards as the second pick, and Tidjane Salaun heading to the Charlotte Hornets as the sixth selection.
The Hawks will be hoping Risacher can fire them back into contention for the NBA title, having failed to win a playoff series since 2021. The 6-foot-9 forward, who is 19, has been playing in France for JL Bourg-en-Bresse.
A fourth French player was selected in the first round, with 18-year-old Pacome Dadiet picked up by the New York Knicks.
"I'm not shocked. I've known Tidjane and Alex for a long time,” said Risacher, as he reacted to the growing French contingent in the NBA.
“We grew up playing against each other. So I know them really well. That's amazing for our country. That's amazing for us, first of all. Just to be able to realise our dream together is special.
“I feel like French players are going to take some inspiration, and that's going to be better and better for us. I really feel lucky because there are so many young players that are good.”
Kentucky's Reed Sheppard was the third pick, heading to the Houston Rockets, with Stephon Castle of UConn going to the Spurs at four.
There was another brother of an Oklahoma City Thunder player in the top 10, with Cody Williams - Jalen Williams’ sibling - picked up by Utah Jazz.
"We're going to talk crazy during that game,” said Cody, when asked if he will trash talk his brother when they play each other.
“It's something we dreamed about. As kids, obviously we never really got to play against or with each other on the same team just because of the age difference.
“So I think being able to do that now is definitely a dream come true. I'm going to make sure I'm matched up on him when we're playing them.”
Despite the first-round picks, arguably the most high-profile signing is likely to come in the second round, when LeBron James’ son Bronny is expected to be picked up by a franchise.
LeBron, who is the NBA’s all-time top points scorer, says he wants to play with Bronny before retiring. The Los Angeles Lakers will have to wait until late in the second round though, meaning Bronny could go elsewhere.
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