For the primary time in historical past, French gamers have been chosen as the primary choose in back-to-back NBA Drafts, as Zaccharie Risachaer was chosen by Atlanta this time. The ahead was the primary of 4 fellow countrymen taken within the first spherical, following within the footsteps of huge man Victor Wembanyama, who was additionally the No. 1 choose and Rookie of the 12 months with San Antonio.
Now the brand new Hawks star turned the fourth general worldwide participant to be chosen because the league’s prime choose, becoming a member of legendary Chinese language Yao Ming (Houston Rockets, 2002), Italian middle Andrea Bargnani (Toronto Raptors, 2006) and naturally Wembanyama.
After the draft, Risacher was nonetheless in disbelief. “It is a blessing, you already know,” the 19-year-old mentioned. “So thrilling. There are numerous emotions and feelings happening proper now. I do not know what to say, however it’s undoubtedly particular. I am so blessed.”
With the primary choose within the 2024 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks choose Zaccharie Risacher! pic.twitter.com/TH713LZYPF
—Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) June 27, 2024
Zaccharie performed for JL Bourg within the French LNB Elite League final season, with averages of 11.1 factors and 4 rebounds in each the French League and the EuroCup. He additionally comes from a basketball household, as he’s the son of a widely known athlete named Stephane Risacher, who received a silver medal together with his nation on the 2000 Olympics.
Regardless of his age, the attacker is satisfied that he could make a significant contribution to his new crew. “I am actually enthusiastic about what is going on to occur,” he mentioned Wednesday. “I simply need to do my greatest to assist the crew. I simply really feel like I will help lots. I’m able to do no matter it takes to be on the sphere with these nice gamers.”
Whereas one other Frenchman went at No. 2, Houston chosen the third choose as a result of it acquired it from Brooklyn within the James Harden commerce three years in the past. This meant the Rockets introduced house Reed Sheppard, the sharpshooter who made 52% of his pictures from deep final season for the Wildcats.
“It was unbelievable… a dream come true,” the previous Kentucky star mentioned. “…They’ve one thing actually good in Houston. The coach [Ime Udoka] is superb. They’ve a bunch of actually younger, athletic guys, and we’ll be capable to play quick. It may be enjoyable.”
4 French gamers had been chosen within the first spherical of the NBA Draft, together with No. 2 Alex Sarr who was taken by the Wizards
One other 19-year-old made headlines final night time, who additionally occurs to be a fellow Canadian. We’re speaking about Alex Sarr, who was picked first over guard Reed Sheppard and even one other fellow countryman Tidjane Salaun, who went to the Hornets at No. 6.
When requested about this phenomenon, the No. 1 general choose within the NBA Draft revealed that it made him proud. “That is wonderful,” Risacher mentioned. “We’re making an attempt to symbolize our nation, and I am so blissful to be part of that. An increasing number of gamers are coming in. I’m actually proud to be a part of my nation’s success.”
Sarr, who will now symbolize Washington within the NBA, talked about why this does not come as a shock and might solely think about the French crew sooner or later. “It simply reveals how a lot expertise now we have in France. I am very enthusiastic about Zacc. I feel our nationwide crew might be actually good,” mentioned the quantity two.
Whereas finishing the fourth and last French prospect to make the primary spherical, guard Pacome Dadiet left the board when the New York Knicks took him with the twenty fifth choice.