Atlanta Hawks Choose French Star Zaccharie Risacher First in NBA Draft

The Atlanta Hawks chose Zaccharie Risacher of France as the first overall pick in the NBA Draft’s opening round on Wednesday. Standing at 6-foot-9 (2.06m), Risacher becomes the second consecutive French player to claim this honor after Victor Wembanyama was selected first by the San Antonio Spurs last year.

Reflecting on his selection, Risacher expressed deep gratitude, stating, “It’s a tremendous blessing and an incredibly special moment for me and my family.”

French players made a notable impact in this year’s draft, with three selected among the top six picks, marking a record for the most players from a single non-US nation chosen in the top 10, and four in the entire first round.

Risacher’s recent achievements include helping JL Bourg reach the EuroCup final and being named the EuroCup Rising Star. Additionally, he was honored as the Best Young Player in the French league for the 2023/24 season, averaging 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

In addition to Risacher, Alexandre Sarr, a 7-foot (2.13m) center from France, was picked second overall by the Washington Wizards. Sarr, who played for the Perth Wildcats in Australia’s National Basketball League last season, emphasized how his global experience prepared him for this career-defining moment.

This draft marked a historic occasion in NBA history as the top two picks lacked US college experience, underscoring the global talent pool’s increasing prominence in professional basketball.