Risacher, journey into the unknown in Atlanta
Zaccharie Risacher had warned before the Draft, he wanted “land in a franchise that really has a project for (him)”. It’s hard to see clearly when arriving in Atlanta, who selected him as the first pick on Wednesday night in New York. The now ex-winger for JL Bourg (19 years old) arrives in a team where the two best players are the subject of trade rumors, point guard Trae Young (25 years old) and guard Dejounte Murray (27). In the event of the latter’s confirmed departure, “Zach” would fit perfectly on the wing in a role as an off-the-ball shooter next to Young.
The Frenchman should also bring his size (2.06 m) and his defensive qualities to a squad which had great difficulty containing opposing attacks last season (fourth worst defense in the League, 10th in the ranking in the East) . “I will do my best to join this team and help them win,” reacted the French player after the Draft ceremony. Excellent in Bourg with whom he has just finished best young player in the Eurocup and Betclic Elite, Risacher seems to have the level to win in Atlanta. On the other hand, he will play with a target on his back for his first season in the NBA, a burden inherent to his new status as “first pick”.
Sarr, like a fish to water in Washington
He dreamed of it and it’s now official: Alexandre Sarr will be a Washington Wizards player next season. The franchise has been flirting with him for several weeks already, seduced by his combination of size (2.16 m) and mobility which make him a versatile defender. There is no doubt that the former player from Perth in Australia should carve out a starting place in a team decimated in the interior sector, without Daniel Gafford (sent to Dallas last February).
The pressure of the result will also be minimal in the American capital, where the Wizards entered reconstruction mode last season, finishing with the second worst record in the NBA (only 15 victories in 82 matches). The second choice of the Draft will be able to draw inspiration from the success of his compatriot Bilal Coulibaly in Washington, who is coming off a convincing rookie season on both sides of the field (8.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.8 against on average). “I watched the team a lot on TV last season, and I think I can have an impact on their game. I look forward to adding my expertise to this squad,” Sarr commented on the release of the Draft.
Salaün, a bet on the future in Charlotte
It’s hard to imagine Tidjane Salaün selected from sixth place in the Draft two months ago. It is now done for this robust and explosive winger (2.06 m, 99 kg) who seems cut out for NBA games. In Charlotte, the former Cholet player (18 years old) joins a franchise in full change which separated from three veterans last winter, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward and PJ Washington, and has just named a new coach this week, the young Charles Lee (39 years old).
“I am ready to bring all my enthusiasm, to play 1,000% hard,” Salaün reacted after the Draft on Wednesday evening, also saying he was impatient to play alongside leader LaMelo Ball (22 years old). “He’ll give me a few alley-oops, and I’ll be ready to jump and put them in the circle. » At only 18 years old, the Frenchman remains for the moment a bet on the future in a team which already has several wingers (Grant Williams, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges) and hopes to rediscover the taste of victory after a difficult season (13th place to the East).
