New York: France’s Zachary Rissacher was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the first overall pick in the opening round of the NBA Draft on Wednesday.
Victor Wembanyama, a 19-year-old forward who stands 6-foot-9 (2.06 meters), became the second consecutive French to be selected No. 1 after being taken by the San Antonio Spurs last year.
“You know, it’s a blessing,” Risacher said. “It’s really exciting. There are so many emotions and feelings right now. I don’t know what to say, but it’s special.
“What I’ve been through for three years with my family here – I’m very happy. It’s amazing”.
French players were selected with three of the first six picks, setting an NBA record among non-US players from one country in the top ten, with four in the first round.
Risacher helped lead JL Bourg to the EuroCup final, which Paris Basketball won this year.
He became the second young player to be named a EuroCup Rising Star and last month was named the 2023-24 French League Young Player of the Year after averaging 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 22 minutes per game for JL Bourg.
Alexandre Sarr, a 19-year-old 7-foot (2.13 m) French center, was selected second overall by the Washington Wizards.
Sarr, whose older brother plays for Oklahoma City, played last season for the Perth Wildcats of the Australian National Basketball League.
After two seasons with Real Madrid’s youth team and two youth seasons in the United States, he spent the 2023-24 campaign with Perth, averaging 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 17 minutes a game.
“Wherever I’ve played, this time has shaped me,” Sarr said. “Very different.”
It was only the third time in NBA history that the first two picks in the draft did not have college experience in the United States.
After Wemby was named NBA Player of the Year and led the league last season, the sky is the limit for the talented Frenchman.
The Hawks finished 10th in the Eastern Conference last season at 36-46, losing to Chicago in the playoffs.
Reed Shepard, Kentucky University of Houston quarterback, third. Sheppard, who turned 20 on Monday, averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals and led American college players by shooting 52.1 percent from 3-point range.
With the fourth pick, San Antonio selected Stephen Castle, a 19-year-old guard from Connecticut, the national college champion. He averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
“I feel having a partner like (Wembanyama) when you sleep opens up a lot to expand your game,” said Castle. “I can’t wait to get out there.”
Charlotte took 18-year-old French forward Tijane Salau to sixth place. He averaged 9.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals last season with France’s Cholet Basket.
“It’s crazy,” Salaun said. “It’s amazing. It’s hard for me to be here.”
The fourth Frenchman to make the first round is 18-year-old forward Pacome Dadiet, who went 25th to New York. He plays for the German team Ratiopharm Ulm.
Canadian guard Zach Edey, a 7-foot (2.24 m) center and two-time US Player of the Year, was selected ninth by Memphis and 12th by Oklahoma City, followed by Serbian guard Nikola Topic.
Cameroon center Yves Missy went to New Orleans as 21.
Swiss forward Keshawn George went 24th to New York, but is expected to be traded to Washington.
Los Angeles Lakers Bronnie James, son of Lakers superstar LeBron James, is expected to be selected in the second round on Thursday.
James, a 19-year-old college guard from Southern California, averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 25 games last season.
The 39-year-old father of the four-time NBA champion said he wants to play with Bronnie next season.
The Lakers took Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht with the 17th pick.
France’s Risacher goes to Hawks with top pick in NBA Draft
