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NBA Draft 2024: Zaccharie Risacher from France becomes top pick
As predicted by the bookmakers, French talent Zaccharie Risacher was selected first in the draft: The 19-year-old is going to the Atlanta Hawks, who won the draft lottery. Risacher is the fourth international top pick in draft history after Yao Ming (Rockets, 2002), Andrea Bargnani (Raptors, 2006) and his compatriot Victor Wembanyama, who was selected by the San Antonio Spurs in 2023.
“It’s a blessing for me,” said the forward. “I’m very excited and emotional right now. I don’t know what to say.” Risacher played for JL Bourg in the French first division last season. His father Stephane Risacher won the silver medal with the French national team at the 2000 Olympic Games. At the Hawks, Risacher will also be responsible for improving the team defense around point guard Trae Young – which was one of the worst in the league in 2023/24.
The second pick also comes from France: Center Alex Sarr was selected by the Washington Wizards. Together with Tidjane Salaün (6th place to the Charlotte Hornets) and Pacome Dadiet (previously Ratiopharm Ulm, 25th to the New York Knicks), there were four Frenchmen in the first round of the draft. “That shows how much talent we have in France,” emphasized Sarr. “Our national team will be really strong.”
Already at the games in Paris this summer, the French team with Wembanyama and Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert (Minnesota) will be among the challengers of defending champion Team USA and world champion Germany.
2024-06-27 04:00:00
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