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 Barclay Center stage 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 shooting from afar, Sarr joins a young team, in full reconstruction. In the NBA, he could meet his brother Olivier, Ohlahoma 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 friends 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 feats achieved by French basketball last night.
