On the night of June 26 to 27, the 2024 NBA draft crowned two French people in the first two positions, Zaccharie Risacher, who succeeds Victor Wembanyama, and Alexandre Sarr…
We expected it, it’s done and it’s historic. The 2024 NBA draft, which was held on the night of June 26 to 27 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, placed two French people in the first two positions: Zaccharie Risacher and Alexandre Sarr. Zacharie Risacher was selected in first position in this 2024 draft by the Atlanta Hawks. He succeeds Victor Wembanyama. “I’m so honored. It’s super exciting. There’s a lot of emotion. It’s a blessing. All the work I’ve had to put in, all these years… I don’t know what to say,” said he confided in euphoria to the American sports media ESPN.
Alexandre Sarr for his part was chosen by the Washington Wizards. This is the first time in history that two French people have been selected for the first two places in the “big league”. It is also the first time that a nation other than the United States has taken the first two places.
The draft, the dream gateway to the NBA
Every year, the best young people from around the world register to be selected by one of the thirty teams of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the largest and legendary basketball league in the world. Following the lottery which awarded the choices on May 12, it was the Atlanta Hawks who inherited the privilege of first choosing their future player, ahead of Washington, Houston and the San Antonio Spurs.
A few hours before the ceremony, Zaccharie Risacher held the rope to succeed Victor Wembanyama as number one in the draft. His winger profile, long, athletic and efficient in shooting had caught the eye of the Hawks for months, but also of many other teams. In particular, we could have seen the Spurs try to recover the first choice as part of an exchange with Atlanta, in order to associate him with Wembanyama in their major five.
Zaccharie Risacher in Atlanta, Alexandre Sarr in Washington
For Alexandre Sarr, Washington certainly could not pass up his 4-5 position profile of 2.13m with a real impact in defense which perfectly meets the needs of his workforce. It was said before the draft that the Wizards could even deal with Atlanta to move up to number one in the draft in case another team was tempted to recover the player from Perth, Australia, ahead of the capital franchise.
A third Frenchman, Tidjane Salaün was selected in sixth position. The Cholet winger was picked by the Charlotte Hornets.
Among the other curiosities to follow during this NBA draft, the presence of LeBron James’ son, Bronny James. Author of a disappointing season in the NCAA, his possible selection remains a mystery, in the first round, the second or even not at all. Absent from all the “mock draft” (fictitious projections) carried out by the American media in recent weeks, the bet could still be attempted by one of the thirty franchises, especially since his father repeated it recently of time: he wants to play in the NBA with Bronny. Will franchises be tempted to draft the son to get the father back?