In a historic moment for French basketball, Zaccherie Risacher was selected first overall in the 2023 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks. This marks the second year in a row that a French player has been chosen first, following Victor Wembanyama’s selection by the San Antonio Spurs in the previous draft. French talent was on full display in this year’s draft, with three players from France going in the top 10.
Alex Sarr, the brother of Oklahoma City Thunder center Olivier, was selected second overall by the Washington Wizards, while Tidjane Salaun was chosen by the Charlotte Hornets as the sixth pick. The Atlanta Hawks will be counting on Risacher to help lead them back to playoff contention, as they have struggled to make an impact since 2021. The 6-foot-9 forward, at just 19 years old, has been playing for JL Bourg-en-Bresse in France, showcasing his skills on the court.
Another French player, Pacome Dadiet, was also selected in the first round, going to the New York Knicks at number 18. Risacher expressed his excitement at the growing presence of French players in the NBA, acknowledging his longtime connections with fellow French athletes Alex and Tidjane. He spoke about the inspiration that their success brings to the younger generation of players in France, emphasizing the significance of realizing their dreams together.
The draft also saw talented prospects from the US college ranks, with Reed Sheppard from Kentucky being selected third overall by the Houston Rockets, and Stephon Castle from UConn going to the San Antonio Spurs at number four. The top 10 picks featured another sibling connection, as Cody Williams, the brother of Jalen Williams from the Oklahoma City Thunder, was picked up by the Utah Jazz. Cody expressed his excitement at the prospect of facing off against his brother on the court, fulfilling a childhood dream of competing at the highest level.
While the first round selections garnered attention, the most anticipated pick of the draft is expected to come in the second round with Bronny James, son of NBA legend LeBron James. LeBron has expressed his desire to play alongside his son before retiring, adding another layer of intrigue to the draft. The Los Angeles Lakers will have to wait until late in the second round to make their selection, leaving the door open for other teams to potentially snag Bronny.
As the excitement of the draft unfolds, basketball fans can look forward to watching the next generation of talent make their mark in the NBA. With a mix of international stars and promising young prospects, the league continues to showcase the diversity and talent of its players. Whether it’s French players making their mark or family connections adding a personal touch to the competition, the NBA draft is a platform for dreams to come true and for basketball excellence to shine.
