A year later, there is still a young Frenchman at the top of the NBA Draft. After Victor Wembanyama, first overall pick called by San Antonio in 2023, now it’s Zaccharie Riscacher’s turn. Atlanta has decided to focus on the winger coming from JL Bourg, a son of art who despite being only 19 years old already boasts international experience both at club level and with the French national team ALL THE FIRST ROUND PICKS AT THE 2024 NBA DRAFT
A FIRST CHOICE LESS SURPRISE THAN EXPECTED
- In the weeks preceding the Draft, Zaccharie Risacher had been the protagonist of a two-way race with his compatriot Alex Sarr, a duel to become the first overall pick in which at a certain point even big names seemed to have slipped in. In recent days, however, it has become increasingly clear that the Atlanta Hawks would have bet straight on Risacher, a sensation then confirmed during the night with the call that opened the first round
TO LYON AND THEN THE ASVEL TRAMPOLINE
- After his father Stéphane’s retirement from playing basketball, the Risacher family moved to Lyon, where Zaccharie took his first steps on the parquet. However, the talent was evident almost immediately, and at 15 the future first NBA choice entered the ASVEL youth program. In the club owned by Tony Parker, Risacher goes through the usual process, playing in the national under-21 championship but also managing to make his debut in the Euroleague in January 2022
