NBA Draft 2024: France's Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr go 1 and 2 to the Hawks and Wizards, following in countryman Victor Wembanyama's giant footsteps
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Zaccharie Risacher became the second Frenchman in as many years to be drafted first in the NBA Draft as the Atlanta Hawks picked the 6-foot-9 forward to start Wednesday's proceedings in Brooklyn.
Risacher follows Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4 rookie sensation, who went first overall to the San Antonio Spurs at the 2023 NBA Draft.
And Risacher, 19, was not the only Frenchman in Wednesday’s draft. Seven-footer Alex Sarr is also considered among the top talents this year.
Right after being taken as the top spot of this year's draft class, Risacher said: 'It's a blessing, you know. So exciting. There's a love of love and emotions I'm feeling right now. It definitely feels so special. I'm so blessed.
'I'm so happy to have my friends and family here. This is amazing. I don't know what to say. Special.'
Zaccharie Risacher walks the red carpet before the NBA basketball draft on Wednesday
The teen, who's a forward, wowed in the LNB Pro A - the top-tier men's professional basketball league in France - this year with 10. 1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.8 steals per game in a postseason push for JL Bourg.
He's projected to be a three-and-D type of player in the NBA, which led to his high selection in this year's draft class.
Despite his height, Risacher operates like a wing. He's shown flashes of his speed and coordination, while also displaying extreme fluidity for his size, which got him a EuroCup Rising Star nomination this past season.
Risacher, whose regarded as a very efficient catch-and-shoot player, was selected for the French senior basketball team's EuroBasket 2025 qualifying campaign in February. However, he is not part of the roster for the Olympics this summer.
Risacher's father, Stephane, played basketball professionally and won a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics with France following an 85-75 loss to the US.
The Hawks, who've been heavily linked with trade rumors involving Trae Young to the LA Lakers, will look to rebuild with Risacher after missing out on the playoffs this past season. Among their forwards are 6-ft-7 and 6-ft-8 stars Saddiq Bey and De'Andre Hunter.
Atlanta will look to pair Risacher with one of their big men - Clint Capela or Fernando Bruno - to form a promising frontcourt that can take over if Young or guard Dejounte Murray need to sit.
All of that depends on whether Young will still be a Hawk ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season, which starts in late October.