Historic night for French basketball. A year after Victor Wembanyama, Zaccharie Risacher (2.07 m, 19 years old) in turn had the honor of being chosen first place in the NBA draft, this Wednesday evening in New York. The son of Stéphane Risacher, Olympic silver medalist in 2000, was selected by the Atlanta Hawks after a more than successful season with JL Bourg, both collectively (Eurocup final, Betclic Elite semi-finals) and individually (best youngster of the Eurocup and the Championship). Complete winger, formidable shooter, Zacharie Risacher should now rub shoulders with superstar Trae Young – if he is not traded this summer.
A few moments after Risacher, it was Alexandre Sarr (2.16 m, 19 years old) who was invited to join the stage of the Barclay Center in Brooklyn to shake the hand of Adam Silver, boss of the NBA, and wear the cap of the Wizards, holders of the 2nd choice of this 2024 draft. The pivot, who played this season in Perth (Australia), will reunite in Washington with his compatriot Bilal Coulibaly, 7th choice of the 2023 draft. Sleek interior, big defender and endowed with a long shot, Sarr joins a young team in full reconstruction. In the NBA, he could meet his brother Olivier, Oklahoma City player, to whom he paid tribute at length this Wednesday.
Unheard of for a country outside the USA
From blue-white-red to first, second… and sixth place in the draft. Tidjane Salaün, who has long been projected around places 10-15, seduced the Charlotte Hornets who used their pick No. 6 to get their hands on the Cholet winger (2.06 m, 18 years old). The brother of international Janelle Salaün had seen his rating rise in recent days and therefore becomes the 4th highest French drafted, after Wembanyama and his two classmates from the 2024 class.
Never has a country outside the United States placed two players in the first two places in an NBA draft. Never has a country outside the United States seen three of its young talents enter the top 10 of the same draft. Two exploits achieved by French basketball last night. And then, when we thought we couldn’t do any better, the Knick decided to select Pacôme Dadiet (2.00 m, 18 years old), the winger from Ulm, with the 25th choice.
Will France now equal (or even beat) its record for the greatest number of Blues selected in the same year, five in 2016 (Yabusele, Luwawu-Cabarrot, Michineau, Cordinier, Cornelie)? Answer this Thursday evening with the second round (choice 31-58), which will take place from 10 p.m. French time, with four French chances (Melvin Ajinça, Mohamed Diarra, Lucas Dufeal and Armel Traoré).
