(New York) For the second year in a row, the first name called in the NBA draft was that of a Frenchman.
The Atlanta Hawks kicked off the 2024 draft by selecting Zacharie Risacher, a year after the San Antonio Spurs selected Victor Wembanya.
Toronto’s Zach Edey, who shone with Purdue, was drafted ninth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Alex Sarr, also French, and Donovan Clingan, of the University of Connecticut, were also considered possible first choices.
A six-foot-nine, 215-pound athlete, Risacher turned 19 on April 8.
Last season he was named the best young player in the French championship.
He is expected to join Trae Young, Dejounte Murray and Jalen Johnson to form the Hawks’ core.
Atlanta has not won a playoff series since reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.
PHOTO TIMOTHY A. CLARY, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Alex Sarr
Sarr was selected second, by the Washington Wizards. Last season he played with Perth in the Australian League.
The Wizards showed the worst record in their history last season (15-67).
The club has not made it past the second round of the playoffs since 1979.
The last time Washington picked second overall, the organization turned to Wes Unseld, in 1968. He ended up leading the club to an NBA championship.
At third place, the Houston Rockets have set their sights on Reed Sheppard of the University of Kentucky.
Last season, Sheppard showed a 52.1% success rate on three-pointers.
He was the only player in the NCAA with at least 145 assists, 80 steals and 75 three-pointers.
Houston made progress in 2023-24, going 41-41 with the likes of Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and new coach Ime Udoka.
In the previous three seasons, the Rockets had only won 17, 20 and 22 games.
Edey, who is seven-foot-four, was named NCAA player of the year for the second straight year.
In his final season with the Boilermakers, he averaged 25.2 points and 12.2 rebounds. Purdue lost to the Huskies in the March Madness final.