The Atlanta Hawks have made a significant move by selecting teenage French forward Zaccharie Risacher with the first overall pick in this year’s NBA draft.
This marks the second consecutive year that a French player has topped the draft, following Victor Wembanyama’s selection last year.
While Wembanyama’s pick was widely anticipated, this year’s draft saw fierce competition between Risacher and fellow Frenchman Alexandre Sarr, who frequently traded places atop mock drafts in recent months.
The 19-year-old Risacher, who stands 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 195 pounds, most recently played for JL Bourg-en-Bresse in the French top flight.
Overwhelmed with emotion, he expressed his excitement to ESPN, saying, “There’s a lot of feelings and emotions right now. I don’t know what to say, I’m so blessed.”
Following Risacher, the Washington Wizards chose 19-year-old center Alexandre Sarr with the second overall pick. Sarr spent the 2023-24 season with the Perth Wildcats in Australia’s National Basketball League.
This selection marks the third instance in NBA draft history where the top two picks had no college experience. Sarr’s brother, Olivier, is a center with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Reflecting on his brother’s influence, Sarr told ESPN, “Everything I’ve learned is through him and he gave me all his knowledge, and to this day it’s really special to have someone like him in my corner.”
The third overall pick went to the Houston Rockets, who selected Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard. UConn’s Stephon Castle was chosen fourth by the San Antonio Spurs.
Ron Holland of G League Ignite rounded out the top five with his selection by the Detroit Pistons. Making it three French players in the top six, Tidjane Salaun, an 18-year-old, was picked by the Charlotte Hornets.
In other notable news, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has expressed his desire to play with or against his son, Bronny James, before retiring.
Bronny, 19, is expected to be selected in the second round. The Lakers picked Dalton Knecht 17th overall, with their next selection scheduled for late in the second round.
This year’s draft has been structured over two days, with the first round taking place at the Barclays Center in New York, while the second round will be held at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios, also in New York.